Moments With God

II Peter 1

How often do we stop to think about the blessings we have as believers in Christ Jesus? One of the awesome blessings we possess as believers is a precious faith that is ours only "through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." (II Peter 1:1b) Only in Christ's righteousness and through His sacrifice on the cross do we have a relationship with God. We also are given the blessing of God's "grace and peace----in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." (II Peter 1:2) Through our faith and our personal relationship with our Savior we experience His abundant grace or unmerited favor and love. We also experience His abundant peace and joy. We can not grow in our faith and in our personal relationship with the Lord, however, unless we grow in our experiential "knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." This comes by immersing ourselves in His Holy Word and by trusting God and His promises.

Not only as believers do we experience the blessings of a precious faith and the Lord's grace and peace; but we are also given "everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." (II Peter 1:3) The Lord supplies all of our needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He gives us all we need to live a godly life for Him through His divine power and through the excellence and perfection of all He is in His character and being. He is the One who helps us persevere in this life. Finally, our Lord has "given us His very great and precious promises" in His Holy Word." (II Peter 1:4a) Through these promises we can grow in our faith and in our love for the Lord. We can grow in our ability to live godly lives for Him. By reading and obeying God's Word it will be to us as "a light shining in a dark place" until Jesus comes back some day. (II Peter 1:19b) God's Word and its awesome promises will be a light in our hearts in this dark world in which we live. It will be the light on the paths of our lives until we reach eternity. II Peter 1:4 also tells us that the promises of God's Word helps us "participate in the divine nature." This Scripture passage is not suggesting that believers somehow become divine. II Peter 1:4 is assuring us, however, that believers in Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit Himself! We can count on the truth of the promises of God's Word also, because God's Word "never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:21) God used many men over thousands of years to perfectly write down His words through the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Thus the Scriptures are God Himself speaking to us!

The Lord God has showered us with many spiritual blessings. Hence, we must attempt to prove the genuineness of our faith by a Spirit filled Christian life. II Peter 1:5-7 tells us "make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." Not only will these godly virtues prove the genuineness of our faith, but if we "possess these qualities in increasing measure" these qualities or virtues will keep us "from being ineffective and unproductive" in our "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Peter 1:8) These godly virtues will show that we don't just have a head knowledge about our Lord God; but these virtues will show that we know Him personally as our Savior, Lord, and friend. These godly virtues in our lives will show that we are growing in our love for our Lord and in our obedience to Him. May it be our passion to live godly lives for our Lord!

Ecclesiastes 1

The book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament shows us the foolishness of running after the things of this world. It demonstrates the futility and meaninglessness of life without Christ. It warns us what will happen if we do not remain diligent and passionate in our love relationship with the Lord. Solomon is the author of the book of Ecclesiastes. It was written in the later part of Solomon's life. Solomon had backslid from the Lord, and he had pursued the things of the world. He had pursued the things of the world instead of a relationship with God. Solomon concluded that a life without the Lord is meaningless. Solomon said in verse two of Ecclesiastes chapter one, "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Solomon discovered that the search for meaning in life apart from God is a dead end road. Solomon also discovered that a life without Christ is a weary walk and a restless journey. Life without Christ is totally without meaning or purpose. Purpose and meaning in our lives is found only in service to the Lord. Purpose and meaning in our lives is found only in a passionate love relationship with the Lord. Purpose and meaning in our lives is found only when our lives are based on God's Word and on obedience to the Lord.

Verses three through eleven of Ecclesiastes chapter one talks about the seemingly endless cycle and futility of creation and the human condition, if we do not know the Lord. Without Christ it appears as if everything just repeats itself. This is true in the cycle of creation. It is also true in the fashions and philosophies of the world. People are born and then die, and for the most part they are remembered no more. Also Solomon noted, "The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing." (Ecclesiastes 1:8b) This means that no matter how much we may acquire of material possessions or worldly pleasures they will never satisfy us. There is meaning, however, in our relationship with the Lord! Jesus Christ makes us a new creation in Him! He gives us new perspective and new purpose! As a new creation in Christ we are to bring glory and honor and service to Him. This alone gives meaning, purpose, and joy to life.

Proverbs 4

My dictionary defines wisdom as "knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action." A vast amount of knowledge of facts and information does not necessarily make one wise. True wisdom is found only in the Lord and in His Holy Word. Only in the Lord can we have a true concept of what is true, right, and pure. Only in the Lord can wisdom truly begin to be seen in our actions. What the world considers "wisdom" is totally different from God's wisdom. In fact, the world often laughs at the wisdom of God.

Godly wisdom comes from seeking to keep and obey His commands in the Bible. God doesn't forbid certain things in our life, because He is some kind of killjoy. He forbids certain things, because they are against His holy nature. The Lord also forbids certain things, because He knows they will lead to our destruction. We need to pursue and run after God's wisdom and understanding by daily diligently reading His Holy Word. Proverbs 4:6 tells us "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you." Godly wisdom will protect us from many pitfalls and destructive and unwise paths of sin in our lives. Wisdom will thus also protect us from much needless heartbreak and anguish. Godly wisdom is much more important than any material things we may possess. "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7) We need to esteem and embrace wisdom, and then we will be blessed with a joyful and productive life for the Lord. Godly wisdom is a beautiful thing in the life of a Christian. Proverbs 9:9 tells us that wisdom is like "a garland of grace" and "a crown of splendor" in our lives, if we embrace it. Godly wisdom will lead us along straight paths. Godly wisdom leads us along God's right paths. If we are walking in God's right paths, we have the assurance that He is leading all the way. We also then have the assurance that the Lord is removing all the obstacles out of our way, as we walk the path of life. "He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake." (Psalm 23:3b) If we are truly walking in Godly wisdom the Lord will be with us every step of the way. Proverbs 4:12 says, "When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble." God has planned our path in this life from beginning to end. We only need to see a step ahead of us at a time. Godly wisdom understands that we simply need to follow the Lord. Godly wisdom understands that we need to trust Him to work out and remove even the difficult obstacles in our lives. Then the path of life will be opened up before us. We simply need to move forward with the Lord step by step. Problems arise when we try to go off on paths of our own making. We then need to repent and get back on the Lord's wise path for our lives.

We need to cling to God's wisdom and "guard it well." (Proverbs 4:13) Godly wisdom and doing things God's way is the secret to life abundant. It is the secret to joy. The path of God's people who walk in Godly wisdom "is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18b) Godly wisdom contributes to our well-being physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Verse twenty-three of Proverbs chapter four tells us that Godly wisdom is "the wellspring of life." We need to keep our eyes focused on the Lord and not on the worthless transitory things of this world. We need to walk in Godly wisdom on God's path for us. We need to not become distracted by anything the world claims to offer us. Walking in Godly wisdom is the true secret to joy and well-being!

Proverbs 3

Trust in the Lord and walking in the Lord's ways leads to joy and peace. Walking in God's ways contributes to our spiritual well-being and growth. It also contributes to our physical and emotional well-being. When we do things God's way and when we make Him number one in our lives we find the way to true success and well-being. This success and well-being may not match the world definition of success and well-being, but it will match God's definition of these things. If we want to experience the joy of being in the center of God's will, we need to allow "love and faithfulness" for God to always be a part of our lives. (Proverbs 3:3) We also need to follow the command of Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Our trust must not be in ourselves or in our own devices or understanding. Our trust must not be in another human being. Our trust must not be in anything or anyone but in the Lord. We need to trust the Lord with our whole heart. We need to lean or depend entirely on the Lord for our protection, wisdom, and guidance through this life. We need to acknowledge the Lord in all we do. This means we need to commit every detail of our lives to Him in trust and in obedience. We need to commit all our decisions, ambitions, and even our relationships to the Lord. The Lord needs to be number one in our lives. We need to love Him more than anything or anyone else in our lives. The lord must consume our passions to such a degree that if all else in life were stripped away He would be sufficient. We need to be passionate about our relationship with the Lord, and we must seek to follow His guidance in all things. If we make the Lord first in our lives and seek to follow His will, He promises to always guide and direct us throughout our lives. Reliance on ourselves or anything or anyone besides the Lord will bring disaster. Reliance on the Lord alone will bring rich blessings!

We need to willingly submit to the Lord in difficult times in our lives, "because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in." (Proverbs 3:12) The word discipline does not always mean punishment. It can also mean training, teaching, molding, or perfecting. Through times of testing in our lives God is teaching us to trust in Him alone. He is molding us to become more like Jesus in our thoughts, actions, and character. So even Godly discipline is for our good. Even when God makes us walk through difficult times He is guiding and protecting us for our good!

God's wisdom and perfect will is more valuable than silver or gold. God's wisdom and perfect will leads to peace, joy, and life. God's wisdom in our lives is like a beautiful necklace around our neck. If we walk in God's wisdom and perfect will; we experience God's safety, protection, and peace. Therefore, Proverbs 3:25-26 tells us, "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." When there seems to be no solution to our problems we must place our firm confidence in the Lord. We don't have to fear sudden disaster, because the Lord is our strength and confidence! We know He always watches over us, and He hears and answers our every prayer. As His children we can be completely assured of His protection and guidance step by step in our lives! If we are seeking to do His will in all things He will abundantly bless us. The Lord "blesses the home of the righteous." (Proverbs 3:33b)

I Peter 5:6-11

God's children must submit to God's authority over their lives. There are many joys and blessings that we receive each day from the Lord. There are also many difficult times in our lives. The Lord is in control of all the events in our lives, even the events which we consider to be less than pleasant. We must understand that all events are under the Lord's sovereign control, and we must submit to His will in all things. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." (I Peter 5:6) God is in control even when situations become so difficult that we think we can't take it any longer. We have limited understanding of why God allows things to happen the way they do, but God has infinite understanding of these things. Often difficult times come in our lives to make us more dependent on the Lord. When we feel the most hopeless in the situations in our lives we lean the most heavily on the Lord. Trials in our lives come to help mold us into the image of Christ. Difficult times in our lives also make us more sympathetic and caring for other people in their trials. Trials in our lives make us more holy and spiritually fruitful. Difficult times in our lives help us to become more Christ-like in our attitudes, thoughts, and actions. They are also for our ultimate good. Think of Job and Joseph in the Old Testament. God used some very difficult circumstances for ultimate good in their lives. More importantly, God used the difficult circumstances in their lives to bring glory to the Lord and to advance His kingdom! Ecclesiastes 3:11a says this about our Lord, "He has made everything beautiful in it's time." God's help and provision for us in our problems will always come at just the right time!

We must therefore commit all of our life's burdens to the Lord. I Peter 5:7 tells us, "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." This is not an option. It is a command. We must cast or throw all our worries and anxieties on the Lord. We must cast our anxieties on the Lord, and then we must leave them there. We must not cast our burdens on the Lord in prayer, and then take them back again with us. We must leave our anxieties and worries with the Lord in trust. We must keep our eyes on the Lord and not on our circumstances. The Lord knows our needs better than we do. Furthermore, He is able to work out the difficult situations in our lives in His perfect timing and power. Most importantly, however, "He cares for you." His eyes are on you and me. His ears are attentive to our every prayer. The Lord is also our sufficient help in any situation. He will give us the grace and strength we need to face any difficult circumstance.

Satan would like to discourage us in times of difficulty. Satan, however, can never touch our souls. Our souls belong to the Lord. No ultimate spiritual harm will ever come to a child of God. We must omit all doubts from our lives in spite of what is going on in our lives. We must "be self-controlled and alert," because Satan is "looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8) Satan would love to plunge God's people into discouragement and depression in times of great difficulty in their lives. We must resist the devil's attempts to discourage us, however. We must be found "standing firm in the faith." (I Peter 5:9) We must trust the Lord and lean on the Lord in total dependence in difficult times. If we do this, we will experience the Lord's joy and peace even in the midst of difficult trials. We can be confident that the Lord will bring His help in His perfect timing. All the events of our lives will work out for the Lord's glory and our ultimate good. Often we see this already in this life, but ultimately we will see and understand this all more fully in eternity!

I Peter 1:13-25

Do we stop as often as we should to think about and delight in the wonder of our salvation? Jesus lived a perfect life for us that we could not live, and then He suffered the horrors of hell itself on the cross to purchase our salvation! What grace! What love!

In Christ we have a holy standing before God. Our sins are as if they were never there. They are washed away in Jesus blood! Because of this we are a new creation in Christ, and we need to begin to show this in our lives. We already, as believers, have a holy position in Christ and through Christ. We also need to show practical holiness in our lives. We were not saved just to free us from the penalty of our sins but also to live holy lives that bring glory to the Lord's name. Ephesians 1:4 tells us, "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight." God is holy; and we, as children of God, must reflect His holiness more and more in our lives. We will not do this perfectly, because sin is still present in our lives. It should be the passion of our hearts, however, to reflect Christ's holiness in a practical way in our lives. God is holy and hates sin, so we too must hate the sin in our lives.

I Peter 1:13 tells us that we must prepare our minds for living for the Lord. We can best do this by saturating our minds with the Word of God. It is very important that we read His Holy Word every day. It is the only way to grow in our walk with the Lord. It is the only way to grow in practical holiness in our lives. We must be self-controlled and place our confidence in the Lord and in His promises. Our world and life view must be radically different from those who do not know the Lord. "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (I Peter 1:14-16) Practical holiness involves being set apart for the Lord. Practical holiness is seeking with all one's heart to be set apart from sin and what is displeasing to the Lord. Practical holiness is seeking to conform our minds, hearts, wills, and even our deep down attitudes and thoughts to God's holiness. Practical holiness in seeking to live our lives to reflect the Lord and His holiness.

I Peter 1:17 tells us that we need to live our lives here on earth "as strangers" and "in reverent fear." This world is not our permanent home. We are just passing through this world to our eternal home. We need to hang loosely to the things of this world. We need to stand in awe of the Lord's great salvation for us, and in gratitude we must seek to live our lives in holiness for Him. We do not want to offend our awesome and holy God. For it was not with "perishable things" that we were redeemed from our sins.(I Peter 1:18) It took the "the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect," to save us from our sins! (I Peter 1:19) In response to such precious love everyone who professes to be a child of God must seek to live in practical holiness in his or her life. We must seek to reflect the Lord's holiness. There must be evidence of practical holiness and of striving for practical holiness in our lives. Finally, there must be grieving over the lack of holiness in our lives. There must be an earnest seeking of the Lord’s help to become more holy. Holiness is a life long process, but it is something which must be pursued diligently in the Lord's strength. This is our purpose as a child of God!

I am going to detour from my usual Bible study blogs today and give you an update on my breast cancer situation.  I ask for your continued prayers.

Recently I was looking at a lovely daffodil flower sitting in a vase on my window sill. This was given to me one day by a nurse at the cancer clinic after I completed one of my radiation treatments. This flower reminded me of the kindness and care given to me by my doctors and nurses these past months. My eyes also landed on a beautiful azalea plant sitting on my coffee table. This plant was given to me by a special person in our church. This azalea plant was symbolic to me of the tremendous love and concern which has been shown to Wayne, my husband, and me in these past many months by our church family. Today I look at a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers sitting on my kitchen table given to me by my son's family.  These flowers remind me of the love of my earhtly family.

As of this morning my radiation treatments for breast cancer are complete!!!  It has been a long journey-this cancer journey beginning in July of 2007.  It has involved chemo, a mastectomy, and the last few weeks radiation.  Wayne, my husband, was diagnosed with a serious neurological disease about a year earlier in 2006. It has been a challenging couple of years to say the least, but there also have been many blessings along the way. It has been a time to draw closer to the Lord in more dependence on Him. It has been a time to hear the Lord speaking through His promises in His Holy Word in a new and wonderful way. Even when the doubts or discouragement comes it is good to know we have such a faithful God. It has also been a time to experience the love of God's people and our earthly family in such a rich and abundant way. They have in many ways made our trial "a place of springs" in the midst of "Valley of Baca" (Psalm 84:6)

I will not have any more cancer treatments now that the radiation treatments are complete except for seeing my dr. and having blood tests once every three months.  I will have some discomfort and/or redness yet for up to a month from the radiation.   Also the "odds" are relatively high that the cancer could reoccur within the next five years, but we know our lives are not about "odds" but the certainties of God's Word. Pray that there will not be a reoccurrence of cancer. Continue to pray also for my husband, Wayne, that his condition will not continue to deteriorate. Most importantly, pray that my husband and I will live every day in the joy of the Lord and for His glory.

I leave you today with a poem or song that was put on a blog by a "blog friend" of mine.  She is currently fighting cancer.  Her name is Gloria.  I trust she will not mind, if I reprint that song on my blog also.  I would like to leave this poem/song as my testimony also.  If you want to hear it sung and you do not mind it if the music is a little upbeat, it is on the web address at the bottom of the page.

Psalm 147

The great God of the universe cares for us! He even delights in us, His children! Isn’t that an awesome thought? Praise the Lord for His greatness, sovereignty, and power! Praise the Lord’s name for His control and protection in His people’s lives. Praise the Lord for His mercy and blessings to us! How wonderful, pleasant, fitting, and good it is to sing praises to the Lord God.

Psalm 147:2-3 tells us that the Lord builds up and heals His people. He builds us up when we are feeling down or when we are going through trials and difficulties. The Lord heals us when we are brokenhearted and do not know which way to turn. The Lord Himself binds up our wounds!

The Lord God of the universe "determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name." (Psalm 147:4) Think about that fact! He knows the number of stars and knows them each by name! The Lord is infinitely great and almighty in His power. His understanding and wisdom is limitless. Yet in spite of His greatness Psalm 147:6a tells us that "The Lord sustains the humble." In spite of the Lord’s majesty and greatness which we see in His awesome creation, He stoops to care for you and me! The great and awesome God of the universe stoops to love and sustain His children! He does this for us when we are humble and are totally dependent on Him. The Lord does this when we realize we have no resources in ourselves. We are nothing; and yet He chooses to love, protect, sustain, and show mercy to us! We can place all our needs in the Lord’s all-wise care and keeping. What a great God we have! May we always "sing to the Lord with thanksgiving" for His great blessings to us! (Psalm 147:7a) The Lord provides for all the creatures on His earth whether they are great or small. He alone provides for your and my needs also.

The Lord does not delight in those who put their hope in their own devices or in the technologies of this world. "The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11) He delights in those who stand in awe of Him and trust Him. The Lord doesn’t just tolerate us or have a mild affection for us. The Lord actually delights in us, if we put our entire trust in Him!

The Lord of all creation secures our defense and protection, if we trust in Him. He also secures our sense of well-being and peace. He is abundant in His provision and blessings to us! The Lord shows His power through snow, frost, hail, and all the other displays of power and glory in His creation. Yet this great and awesome God is in control of our lives also. He stoops to love and protect us in His mercy. Praise His name! What is even more awesome, however, is that He chooses us as His people. He chooses to forgive our sins through Jesus. He also chooses to reveal His precious salvation to us through His Holy Word. The great God of the Universe reveals His holy will to us, and chooses us as His children! Praise His name!

Luke 24:36-53

It was late in the day that first glorious Easter day. The eleven disciples and others were gathered together discussing the events of that first Easter day. Suddenly the Lord Jesus Himself appeared among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." (Luke 24:36b) Seeing the disciples' frightened and startled reactions to His sudden appearance among them Jesus said to His disciples, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in you minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I Myself!" (Luke 24:38a)

Jesus is our source of peace. Jesus Christ was the answer to the disciples' fears and panic that first Easter. He is able to turn our panic into peace today also. He is our Savior who died for our sins, and He is our resurrected Lord. Therefore we have eternal hope and peace in Him! We can face whatever trials life brings us, because Christ Jesus is our peace. We can experience His total peace, because He has "set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come." (II Corinthians 1:22)

In our Scripture passage Jesus then went on to explain to the disciples that He was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy about the promised Savior. The Lord Jesus reminded the disciples that it had been necessary for Him to suffer and be crucified for their sins and then to rise again on the third day. Jesus "opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:45) The Lord Jesus turned their confusion that day into clarity. When we become confused in the midst of life's difficulties; we too must go to God's Holy Word for comfort, clarity, and direction.

Jesus then told His disciples that they were to be His witnesses in the world. They were to go and tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. They were to tell others about forgiveness through the blood of the Lord Jesus. The disciples' lives of pointlessness had been turned into lives of purpose. Only if we are living for the Lord and for His glory does life have meaning and purpose. The disciples of old were instructed to wait to be "clothed with power from on high" before they began their ministry. (Luke 24:49b) So we too are able to live purposeful and God honoring lives for the Lord only through the Holy Spirit's power and through Christ's resurrection power in us.

The Lord Jesus turns our panic into peace, our confusion into clarity, and our pointless lives into lives of purpose. He also turns our worry into worship, joy, and praise. Just before Jesus went back to Heaven He blessed His disciples. After Jesus went back to Heaven the disciples "worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God." (Luke 24:52-53) May we too not concentrate on our worries and life's trials. Let us instead joyfully "fix our eyes on Jesus" in worship and praise! (Hebrews 12:2a)

Luke 24:13-35

Jesus Christ is risen! Our precious Lord paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. After three days, however, our Lord arose from the grave to prove that He had won a victory over sin, Satan, and death. Do we live our lives in the joy and victory of that glorious first Easter?

In our Scripture passage two disciples who were walking on the road to the village of Emmaus were missing out on the joy of Christ’s resurrection because of their ignorance and spiritual blindness. The village of Emmaus was a village about 7 miles from Jerusalem. Perhaps these disciples had left Jerusalem because of their sadness over the events of Jesus' crucifixion and death during the last few days. Perhaps they were hoping to escape their sadness and problems by leaving Jerusalem. It never helps to run away from our problems in life, however. We instead need to run to the Lord God, and seek His strength in the midst of life’s problems. As these men were walking along and discussing the events of the last days, "Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him." (Luke 24:15b-16) Our Lord Jesus always walks with us also along life’s road. In fact, the psalmist says to God in Psalm 139:5, "You hem me in-behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me." The Psalmist goes on to say in Psalm 139:7, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?" Even though the Lord walks right beside us and hems us in with His protection, presence, and love we too are often blind to His presence. We often are so wrapped up in our activities or difficulties and trials that we fail to see the Lord walking right along beside us. Our Lord promises us, however, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b) The closer we draw to Him and the more we immerse ourselves in His promises in His Holy Word the more we will sense the Lord's presence right beside us.

In spite of these two disciples not recognizing Jesus they sensed something different about this "stranger" who was walking with them along the Road to Emmaus. Hence, when they reached the village of Emmaus they pleaded with Jesus saying to Him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." (Luke 24:29b) We too need the Lord's staying presence in our lives especially in time of trials and troubles.

Then something exciting happened in the lives of these two disciples. When Jesus "was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight." (Luke 24:30-31) Their spiritual eyes were opened! An encounter with the risen Savior brings true spiritual understanding of the Lord Jesus and of the promises of His Holy Word! May our eyes also be opened to the glories and wonders of our risen Lord and Savior! May we have our spiritual eyes opened to the wonders of His glorious promises in His Holy Word. As these disciples of old may we also experience "hearts burning within us" when we read God's Holy Word and experience Him talking to us through the Scripture.

An encounter with the risen Savior also brings about a life of true commitment on the part of His followers. As soon as the two disciples who had been traveling on the Road to Emmaus recognized Jesus, "they got up and returned at once to Jerusalem." (Luke 24:33a) Even though it probably was evening and maybe dark outside, they experienced a passionate need to share their exciting news with the eleven disciples who were gathered in Jerusalem. The two disciples' lives were changed forever that day. May our lives also be changed by our relationship with our risen Savior. May our relationship and encounter with our Risen Lord also bring about true commitment and a passion for the Lord and His will!

James 1-5

"Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith." (Galatians 3:11) No one is declared righteous before God by his or her own works, because we all live sinful lives. It is only because Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins and lived a perfectly sinless life for us that we are declared righteous in God's sight. Our righteous standing before God is all of grace and faith alone.

The doctrine of justification by grace and faith alone should not cause us to become complacent about seeking to live godly and fruit-bearing lives, however. One of the key verses of the book of James is "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26) Professed faith that is not accompanied by any change in one's life is not genuine faith.

James used the example of the life of Abraham to illustrate his point that genuine faith must reveal itself in our lives. Abraham was declared righteous by faith and grace alone. Abraham was sinful just like every other human being, and he was dependent on the blood and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation. Abraham's salvation and justification before God did not rest on any merit or work on his part. Abraham's faith, however, "was made complete by what he did." (James 2:22b) Abraham's already existing faith by grace alone was proven to be valid by his actions. Abraham proved the genuineness of his faith and love for the Lord by being willing to sacrifice his own son, Isaac. Abraham proved by his actions the genuineness of his faith by being willing to put God first in his life and by being willing to obey God in all things.

So we too must show evidence of genuine faith in our lives. We start our Christian lives as spiritually immature "baby" Christians, but the character of Christ must become increasingly evident in our lives also. We show evidence of genuine faith by our perseverance in our faith and by our trust in the Lord even in times of trial and testing in our lives. (James 1 and 5). We show genuineness of faith by not being "dragged away and enticed" by sin's temptations and by resisting sin's temptations in our lives. (James 1:14) As true believers we still sin, but we seek to fight and struggle against sin. It is our desire to please the Lord in all things.

We further show the genuineness of our faith by being "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19b) We show the genuineness of our faith by keeping "a tight rein" on our tongues. (James 1:26) We can do much damage to the cause of Christ and to the spirit of another human being by our tongues. "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." (James 3:10)

We also show we have genuine faith by our humble deeds and our godly wisdom. We show the genuineness of our faith by our lack of envy and selfishness and by our consideration, mercy, and peace-loving attitudes. (James 3:13-18)

Finally, we show the genuineness of our faith by the power and prominent place of prayer in our lives. (James 5:13-18) Prayer is the lifeline of every true believer. A child of God prays for the spiritual and the physical needs of others and for themselves.

In summary, we show the genuineness of our faith by not only reading and listening to God's Word, but by applying God’s Word to our lives. "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22) A faith that shows no evidence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and shows no evidence of godliness is not genuine faith. It is merely the pretense of faith. It is dead faith. May our faith prove genuine and vibrant by our godly living!