Tag Archives: heaven

Reconciliation

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Tuesday

…journey towards Jerusalem

Reconciliation occurs in several forms. But perhaps the most significant form of reconciliation for a Christian is bringing into agreement God’s purpose with our obedience to his perfect will. Sometimes the process of getting to this reconciliation is like tug-of-war because of the emotional battles we occasionally face in our earthly relationships. The Apostle Paul’s ministry was wrought with Jewish non-believers who were constantly trying to undermine his desire to build relationship with Gentile believers. Yet he never allowed the frustration with his own people to undermine his relationship with God and the living Christ. Instead, he made no excuses for his past violence against Christians and accepted God’s grace to use him as an instrument of love, peace and mercy. When Paul’s face turned toward Jerusalem not even the prophecy of his death kept him from striving towards his goal (Philip 3:1-16). Pray that our emotions don’t get in the way of God’s direction in our lives and our own journey towards Jerusalem. It is there that his love, peace and mercy for us become our love, peace and mercy for one another.

Acts 21:1-14 Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, “The Lord’s will be done.”

2 Samuel 14:1-20 But God will not take away a life; he will devise plans so as not to keep an outcast banished forever from his presence.

Vision

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Tuesday-July 26, 2011

Sometimes we put our faith in the wrong people, not realizing that beyond an earthly standpoint they have no power. Furthermore, when we put our faith in someone who’s motive for helping us is inconsistent with God’s purpose for us, I believe eventually that motive does not prevail. It reads in 2 Samuel 3, Abner a servant in the House of Saul (who has died) is becoming quite strong. In other words politically, he is rising very quickly. The problem is that Abner’s loyalty is in the wrong place and is soon accused by Saul’s son of violating his father’s household. We know that God has already anointed David to be King, here we see that God’s protection of his anointed extends well beyond immediate threats. Abner subsequently defects to David but his character is questioned and it’s too late. First and foremost our faith, hope, and trust has to be in God and he who is faithful will guide other faithful people into our lives who also put God first. Let us remember even Christ who desired the daunting task of feeding the five thousand, first looked up to heaven. Will we encounter other people and events intending to do us harm? Yes. But trusting in God first is our assurance that he has already prepared for that. God has already foreseen the collisions (including the ones we create our selves), and is working it out because through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we too are his anointed, no longer sheep without a shepherd.

Psalm 62:5,7 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

2 Samuel 3:6-21; Psalm 62; Acts 16:6-15