Tag: love

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Grounded in Love

. . . I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.  (Ephesians 3:14-21, NASB)

The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church at Ephesus while incarcerated in a Roman prison.  What love he must have had to write to the church while suffering persecution, to share the love of Christ Jesus with them!  In the Bible verses above, Paul writes of the infinite love of our Savior.

Paul begins by praising God, “that He would grant [us], according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith.”  The moment we pray to ask Jesus Christ to be our Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to reside in us, to be our Helper, Teacher, and Guide.  If we realize He’s there, we are “strengthened with [His] power.”  I call the Spirit “the Forgotten Person of the Trinity.”  I think most of us forget He’s there.  With God’s help, I’ve tried to incorporate Him into my prayer life, to unleash the power Paul speaks of. 

Next, Paul prays “that [we], being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.”  Why?  So that we “may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”  Christ Jesus loves us infinitely, beyond our knowledge.  I do know that He loves us so much that He left the majesty of His heavenly home, and came to the earth He created, to suffer horrific torture and crucifixion, to die as a substitute for us, to take the punishment we all deserve.  But Paul says there is much more that we don’t know! His love is so great, that we “may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

What Does it Mean That God Is Able to Do More Than All We Ask?
Ephesians 3:20 image.  Found at Crosswalk, https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-it-mean-that-god-is-able-to-do-more-than-all-we-ask.html

Last, Paul gives glory to God, “who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”  We Jesus-followers have immense power in us!  There’s so much power in us that we can’t even imagine what God can do for us.  I think it’s an issue of faith.  Jesus said that if we had faith as tiny as a mustard seed, we could command a mountain to move.  If I had enough faith, I would ask God, and He would heal my ALS. He would grant healing and salvation to everyone for whom I pray.  He would heal our Nation.  He would bring justice throughout this unjust world.  Father, please help my faith! 

Worship:  “Hear Our Praises,” by Hillsong Worship
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I AM

Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.”  (Exodus 3:13-15, NASB)

The book of Exodus details the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, and the beginning of their journey through the wilderness of Sinai enroute to the Promised Land.  The Bible passage above relates the story of Moses at the burning bush. 

Moses had grown up in Pharaoh’s household, but he longed to be with his people, the Hebrews.  One day he encountered an Egyptian mistreating one of his countrymen, and he killed the Egyptian.  Soon after, he came across two Israelis fighting, and went to break it up.  One of the Hebrews asked if Moses was going to kill him like he did the Egyptian.  Having been discovered, Moses fled to the Sinai Peninsula.  He got married there, and that’s where the story of the burning bush picks up. 

Moses was out tending the sheep of his father-in-law, Jethro.  He heard the voice of the Angel of the LORD, and when he answered, noticed a bush aflame, but not being consumed.  God told him He wanted Moses to go to Pharaoh to tell him to release the Israelites so they could worship Him, and He wanted Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt.  Moses objected, saying he wasn’t qualified, and the portion above is part of his conversation with God. 

Exodus 3:14 image.  Found at On Scripture, https://onscripture.blog/2022/02/02/the-hidden-name-of-god-bible-study-part-3-c/

God tells Moses to go to the Israelites to tell them he’s spoken with God.  Moses asks God if they ask him Who sent him, what should be his reply?  God then answers, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”  “I AM” means that God has always been.  He Who created the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and the universe, and you and me, was and is, and will be, hereafter and forever!  The notes in my electronic Bible says this about “I AM”:  “Related to the name of God, YHWH, rendered LORD, which is derived from the verb HAYAH, to be.”  (bible.com, note on Exodus 3:14)  So anytime we see the name of God rendered “LORD”, we should think of YHWH (pronounced in the English-speaking world as “Yahweh”), which means “I AM.”

I AM is the eternal, everlasting, God, Who was, and Who is, and Who is to come.  Since the dawn of creation and time, I AM had a plan of redemption, of saving us imperfect humans from our sins.  That plan was to send His Son, Jesus, to the earth, to die on the cross, and to be a substitute to take the punishment we all deserve.  God is an eternal being, and so are we.  God requires we put our trust in Jesus while we’re on earth, to spend eternity with Him in heaven.  In Jesus I’ve placed my hope and trust! 

Worship:  “Great I AM,” by Paul Wilbur
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Desolation

Thus says the LORD, “Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and there speak this word and say, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on David’s throne, you and your servants and your people who enter these gates. Thus says the LORD, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place. For if you men will indeed perform this thing, then kings will enter the gates of this house, sitting in David’s place on his throne, riding in chariots and on horses, even the king himself and his servants and his people. But if you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself,” declares the LORD, “that this house will become a desolation. ’ ”  (Jeremiah 22:1-5, NASB)

Jeremiah was a prophet in the last days of the Kingdom of Judah.  He prophesied in the days of King Josiah and Josiah’s son, King Jehoiakim, until the defeat and exile of Judah to Babylon.  (Jeremiah 1:2-3)  The Bible passage above is from one of Jeremiah’s warnings to Jerusalem if they don’t shape up.

The “king of Judah” refers to Jehoiakim, who was evil in the sight of God (Jehoiakim’s father, Josiah, is described as being the most wholehearted king of all time over Israel and Judah).  God tells Jeremiah to warn the king to “do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”  God’s people had been consistently told to be just and righteous; to be kind to the stranger (because they had been strangers in the land of Egypt); and to provide for orphans and widows.  But Judah had fallen away from justice and righteousness. 

Jeremiah 22:3 image.  Found at World Challenge, https://www.worldchallenge.org/jeremiah-223

God’s warning is clear:  Repent, and Judah’s kings would continue to sit on the throne of David; or continue in their ways, and “this house will become a desolation.”  Unfortunately, Judah did not turn from its ways, and God kept His promise.  Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, besieged Jerusalem, utterly destroying the city, and carried the people of Judah off into exile. 

Our Nation faces a similar choice today.  We’ve turned our backs on God.  We can turn back to Him, or face the consequences.  God’s people must lead in this effort to “do justice and righteousness,” and be kind to people.  As I’ve said, God wants our hearts.  If we give Him our hearts, everything else will fall into place! 

Worship:  “I Give You My Heart,” by Hillsong Worship 
& Delirious?
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God’s Requirement for Us

With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:6-8, NASB)

Micah was a prophet in Judah “in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.”  God sent His word to Micah concerning the future of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, both of which had turned their backs on the Lord.  (Micah 1:1)  The portion above comes during Micah’s indictment of God’s people, and a discussion of what God really expects of us.  Yes, this applies to us today! 

This segment begins and ends with questions.  The opening question:  “With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high?”  Presumably the prophet is asking what he should bring for a sin offering, since that’s what his answer is.  Burnt offerings, yearling calves, rams and oil were all prescribed as portions of sin offerings according to the Law of Moses.  God required the firstborn of both man and beast to belong to Him.  However, He mandated a substitute fee for the redemption of the firstborn human. 

Micah 6:8 image.  Found at Knowable Word, https://www.knowableword.com/2020/11/23/context-matters-do-justice-love-mercy-walk-humbly-with-god/

However, Micah responds that God doesn’t want any of these things.  He wants our hearts, and the prophet responds with the final question:  “[God] has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”  This is actually the fulfillment of what Jesus called the Greatest Commandments, to love God, and love other people.  If we could concentrate on loving God and loving others, we would have no problem doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God.  Above all, He wants our hearts! 

Worship:  “I Love You Lord” and “I Exalt Thee,” by Gateway Worship
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No Other God

“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me'” . . .  . Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.” They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend.  (Isaiah 44:6, 16-18, NASB)

In Isaiah 44, the prophet begins by extolling the blessings of Israel, and then discusses the futility of idols. 

In the portion above, God is speaking (so pay attention!)  Isaiah reminds Israel of God’s names, which also reflect what He does.  Isaiah calls Him “the King of Israel”; Israel’s “Redeemer”; and “the LORD of hosts.”  Then God reminds them, “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.” 

Isaiah 44:6 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, 
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Uniqueness-Of

In the next section, Isaiah both makes fun of and expresses the futility of idols, and those who worship them.  He speaks of a man who cuts down a tree.  He cuts it into logs.  With one, he builds a fire.  He roasts his meal and warms himself with the fire.  With another log, he fashions “into a god, his graven image.”  He worships it.  “He also prays to it and says, ‘Deliver me, for you are my god.'”  Isaiah explains why the people of his era would worship their idols, and not the King of Israel:  “They do not know, nor do they understand, for [God] has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend.”

Why does God do this?  I don’t know!  But He still blinds people from His truth, to fulfill His purposes.  I don’t understand, but He is God, and I am not.  My job is to trust in His love and His promises, and love Him and other people.  My hope is in His name!

We have other idols today.  They may not be inanimate statues that can’t speak, hear, or move, much less save, like our God can.  An idol is anything that divides our attention away from worshiping the one true God.  It could be baseball.  What’s wrong with baseball?  Nothing, as long as we still worship God, and take care of our families.  There are many things that could become an obsession and divide our attention away from where it should be.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “We know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.”  (1 Corinthians 8:4)  There is only one God, there is none other.  Let’s worship Him! 

Worship:  “You Are God Alone,” by Phillips, Craig 
& Dean
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God’s Laws

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You . . . Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.  (Psalm 119:11, 105, NASB)

Psalm 119, author unknown, is very interesting.  It’s entitled “Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.”  The author tells of his delight of learning and following God’s laws.  The psalm is a study in Hebrew poetry.  Each stanza, composed of eight verses, begins with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet, so there are 22 stanzas.  Nearly every verse mentions a synonym for God’s laws (law, precepts, testimonies, ways, statutes, etc.).  

In the brief clip above, the author proclaims, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”  We have to study God’s word in order to know it, then make up our minds to follow it.  Of course, we all sin.  What’s important in scripture is that God sent His Son, Jesus, Who became sin for us, and took the punishment we all deserve.  God wants us to follow His Son, and receive the forgiveness that can be found nowhere else! 

Psalm 119:105 image.  Found at Bibliatodo, https://www.bibliatodo.com/En/christian-pictures/your-word-is-a-lamp-for-my-feet-a-light-on-my-path/

The second verse above is, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”  It speaks of the value of God’s word.  In context, in the time it was written, nighttime travelers had to carry a torch or some kind of lantern in order to see on paths that were often dangerous.  Today we have paved roads and headlights, and we take them for granted.  Comparing God’s word to precious light shows just how valuable it is to the author. 

We should study God’s word.  It’s important that we know His statutes so as to set an example to others.  We have to know His laws before we can follow them to avoid the charge of hypocrisy, and attract others to be Jesus-followers.  Our mission is to populate Heaven.  We can’t do that unless we know God’s laws and try to follow them.  We have to know Jesus! 

Worship:  “Thy Word,” by Amy Grant
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Holy

Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”  (Revelation 4:5-8, NASB)

The Bible passage above is from the book of Revelation.  The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos, under persecution, and he says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.”  (Revelation 1:1)  The book contains messages from Jesus Christ to seven churches about their conduct, and then things which will occur in our future.

The passage opens with John being shown God’s Throne Room, and a description of the throne of God.  Thunder and lightning come out from His throne.  “A sea of glass, like crystal,” is in front.  The description of the “four living creatures” is interesting, but so is their activity:  “Day and night they do not cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.'”  They do not ever cease to praise God!  And they say the same thing over and over again! 

Revelation 4:8 Holy Holy Holy Is The Lord God Almighty (blue)
Revelation 4:8 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Revelation/4/8

I’m reminded that a lot of church-going people are put off by music and songs that have repetitious phrases, over and over again.  Me, too.  UNTIL . . . Years ago during a sermon, a pastor noted that some congregants were complaining about such music.  The pastor suggested that that’s what we’ll be doing in Heaven, and doing it for eternity.  And then he said that if it bothers people, then maybe they’re not saved!  Whoa!  That made me think.  C.S. Lewis put it another way:  He said that God is looking for people who are comfortable in worshiping Him! 

We followers of Jesus are here on earth as a dress rehearsal.  We’re supposed to act as if we’re in Heaven.  “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  That includes praising God, and singing songs that praise Him.  So let’s get practicing! 

Worship:  “Revelation Song,” by Kari Jobe 
& Christ For The Nations Worship
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Encourage One Another

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.”  (Hebrews 3:12-15, NASB)

The text above is from the book of Hebrews, author unknown.  The theme of this passage is the encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ so that they do not fall away from the promise that awaits them.  Since “we have become partakers of Christ,” we shouldn’t be involved in sin.  “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today.'”  Why?  “So that none of [us] will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  The author tells us to encourage each other today.  We are not to wait until tomorrow, but to do it today.  Tomorrow might be too late!

Hebrews 3:13 Warn Each Other Every Day While It Is Still Today (windows)09:16
Hebrews 3:13 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, 
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Hebrews/3/13

The last quotation in the passage refers to the Israelites when they were wandering through the Sinai Peninsula enroute to the Promised Land.  They hardened their hearts to the point where God vowed that none of them would enter His rest in Israel, except for Joshua and Caleb, and the sons and daughters of the sinners.  The warning here is for us to not do the same.  Instead, we are to encourage each other so as not to engage in sin. 

We followers of Jesus are to encourage each other “Today,” and “day after day.”  It seems we’re never to stop.  The objective is to ensure “we” don’t lose the hope of God’s rest that awaits us in Paradise.  That would be a shame. 

Worship:  “New Name Written Down In Glory,” by Charity Gayle
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Glory

The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”  (Exodus 33:17-23, NASB)

The Bible passage above is Moses’ account of his encounter with the Glory of God in the wilderness by Mount Horeb (Sinai).  The setting:  Moses had been up on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, neither eating nor drinking, meeting with God.  Among their agenda was God writing the Ten Commandments with His finger on stone tablets.  The Israelites wondered where Moses was, and if he was alive or dead, and rebelled by having Aaron fashion a golden calf for them to worship.  God saw what was going on, got angry, and sent Moses down from the mountain to deal with the rebellious people.  Moses became angry with the people, and smashed the stone tablets.  (Exodus 32)

God then tells Moses to lead the people to the Promised Land, but He would not accompany them.  Moses went to meet with God outside the Israelite camp at the tent of meeting.  Moses interceded for the people, pleading with God to travel with His people.  The text above picks up from there.  (Exodus 33:1-16)

Moses wants to know God better, and to lead the people to their final destination.  God tells Moses He will do so, as “you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”  Wow!  Oh, to have the Creator of the Universe say that I have found favor in His sight, and He knows me by name.  Actually, since Jesus is in me, it’s true! 

Exodus 33:22 The Glory Of God (devotional)07:14 (brown)
Exodus 33:22 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Exodus/33/22

Moses then asks his Friend, “Show me Your glory.”  God tells Moses that He will do so, but He can’t show Moses His face, “for no man can see Me and live!”  God tells Moses to stand “there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”

We can find favor in God’s sight, and have Him know us by name.  How?  By believing in His Son, Jesus.  Once we’ve come to faith in Him, He becomes our Advocate with the Father.  Instead of our faces, God looks at us and sees Jesus.  We can also see God’s glory.  I see it whenever I look out my window at His glorious creation!  Blue sky,  trees, plants and flowers.  I also see it whenever someone walks into my room.  Each person is an image-bearer of God.  Created in His image!  God, please show me Your glory! 

Worship:  “Show Me Your Glory,” by Jesus Culture, ft. Kim Walker-Smith
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Blessing

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”  (Numbers 6:22-27, NASB)

The text above contains “The Aaronic Blessing,” or “Aaron’s Benediction.”  Aaron, the brother of Moses, was chosen along with his sons by God to be high priests to Israel as they wandered through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.  This portion is just one of many instructions (613 commandments) given by God to Moses, and recorded in the first five books of the Old Testament, the Book of Moses. 

You’ve no doubt heard these words before.  Many clergy use these verses as benedictions.  The words contained herein are some of the nicest things one human being can say to a fellow image-bearer of God!  “The Lord bless you, and keep you.”  I don’t think there’s anything better than to wish God’s blessings on someone.  If God makes one happy, that’s the ultimate, especially if it’s God that is the source of joy.  If God is keeping you, that means He is Protector.  There is no better source of joy and protection than my God! 

The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Numbers 6:24 image.  Found at Godtube, https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/the-lord-bless-you-and-keep-you

“The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.”  Wishing God to smile at you is a fine compliment.  How is God gracious to us?  He sent Jesus, His Son, so that if we believe in Him, we will have everlasting life in fellowship with Him!  Jesus took the punishment we all deserve for our sins.  That’s the ultimate in grace! 

“The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”  Wishing God’s good graces on you, and His Shalom!  What could be better?  God’s Shalom is perfect peace, not the “peace” we humans consider.  It denotes a sense of well-being, of perfect calm.  In a word, it’s “Indescribable!”

Last, there is God’s promise when Aaron and his sons deliver this blessing on the people of Israel:  “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”  Perhaps this was God’s way of making sure Israel remembered Him.  He had been warning them of the consequences of forgetting Him, and following worthless idols.  Invoking His name on the congregation by the priests would serve as a reminder that they were to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and might, and to love Him only.  In turn, He would bless them! 

The Aaronic Blessing might be the ultimate expression of God’s love for us.  He said that when the priests of Israel delivered it, He would bless them.  The Blessing translates to us today.  It wishes God to bless us; to protect us; to give us grace; and finally, to give us peace!  What more could we ask from the Creator of the universe, Who loves us so? 

Worship:  “The Blessing,” by Kari Jobe, ft. Cody Carnes