Our Benefits From God

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)

Imagine God standing in the center of the universe. Surveying all of his new creation . . . the heavens, earth, night, day, birds, sea creatures, animals, trees, and plant life. He decides that all of it is good, but it needs something more. His creation needs a caretaker. In his infinite wisdom, he determines to create one. So, he bends down and scoops up a handful of newly created soil . . . dirt, . . . earth. Then, with his own hands, he forms the dirt into a human. Next, with his own breath, he breathes life into the lifeless dirt-form and it becomes a living being.
 
Soon after that the story went sour. Adam’s disobedience clearly shows that he was a weak dirt creature who needed the grace of God to survive. All of his descendants since are still weak and in need of God's grace.

In the Scripture above, note that David clearly understood our need for God's grace and focused his praise on the supplier and the benefits supplied. With David, lets us not forget the benefits of grace: Entire forgiveness, complete health, total redemption, entire mercy and compassion, complete satisfaction, and total renewal.
 
There is nothing else to say except, "Let me praise the Lord! Let all that I am bless His holy name! O, soul, praise God and do not forget the benefits of His grace!"
 
Dear Father, thank you for your grace. We praise you for all your benefits. Enable us to remember them daily and to praise you before others that they may also give you praise and glory. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
 
Be encouraged today in your benefits from God,

Knowing Christ

"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him." Phil.3:8 (NLT)
 
Knowing Christ is more precious than anything else. Yet, post-modern society would have us believe otherwise. Selfishness, greed and concern for one’s own interests seem to be the order of the day.
 
The Apostle to the Gentiles gave us a different perspective. He considered his past life, his personal skill and ability (v.3-4), his family heritage (v. 5a), his religious beliefs and connections (v. 5b-6a), and his personal ethics (v. 6b) all to be worthless in comparison to the value of knowing Christ. Everything he had previously considered to be valuable became worthless to Paul. Those things could not give him eternal salvation.
 
When considered from this perspective, knowing Christ is a huge gain. Yet, the issues become desire and trust. What do we desire? For salvation, where do we place our trust? As important as family, tradition, and cultural connections may be, will they draw us nearer to Christ? As important as personal expertise may be, can it produce Christ-like behavior? As important as doctrinal beliefs and affiliations may be, can they give us intimacy with Christ? As important as zeal and Christian issues are, will they bring us to the full maturity of Christ? We all know the answer to these questions. No, on all accounts.
 
Paul wrote that he had "discarded everything else" and counted all things as worthless in order to have a relationship with Christ. For him nothing was more valuable than knowing Christ fully, intimately. With this level of committed determination, 21st century Christians could turn our world upside down.

Dear Father, thank you for the priceless Christ . . . our Salvation. Empower us with the desire and trust that we may also discard everything else in order to know Christ fully. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be encouraged today in Christ,

Heaven's Citizenship

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” St. Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
 
Possessing the Kingdom . . . ownership in the Kingdom . . . citizenship in Heaven. Our imaginations fail us, for "it is written, 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him'" (1Co 2:9 KJV). This point usually sidetracks most people. Despite this Scripture, people try to imagine what it will be like. Yet, the point is not to create imaginations, but rather to encourage desire for going there. No matter what heaven is like, don't you want to be one of its citizens?

Citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven is not about material prosperity or poverty. It is not about how much you possess or can possess. It is also not about spiritual weakness or immaturity. Being poor in spirit is about possessing heavenly citizenship. Its about total dependence on God. It is about freedom from arrogance and pride. It is about humility. We cannot save ourselves . . . total dependence on Christ. We cannot force our way through the pearly gates . . . Christ is the "Way, the Truth, and the Life."
 
We acknowledge our insufficiency before God and are blessed to possess the Kingdom of Heaven. The attitude, “No problem, I don’t need anybody,” will keep us from enjoying the citizenship promised by Christ in today's passage. Humbly submitting our attitudes to God and placing our lives in His hands is what true Kingdom living is all about.
 
Dear Father, thank you for your gift of heaven's citizenship. Enable us to walk humbly before you in the Spirit and for your glory. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be encouraged today in heaven's citizenship,