Altars Pleasing to God

In the Old Testament, God instructed the Israelites to make simple altars of earth or uncut stone. He told them to build altars in the places He reminded them of who He is, and He promised to come and bless them there (see Exodus 20:24-25). 

Not elaborate altars. Simple altars. Altars acknowledging who God is. Not the intricate work of our hands. Not altars beautiful to look upon. Simple altars where God is acknowledged and worshiped. That is the kind of altar He blesses. 

Under the new covenant, how do I build an altar? I present my body, my life, as a living sacrifice. I don’t offer a dead sacrifice. I offer a living one. The Lord makes it holy and acceptable. Not me. My righteous deeds are as filthy rags in His sight (Isaiah 64:6). 

God makes me holy by the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. I humbly present myself, submit to Him, and ask Him to transform me. He does the work—not because of me, in spite of me. 

We are unable to save ourselves. It is the work of Christ! 

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Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)

Follow Me To Become Fishers of Men

Then He [Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

 

The Holy Spirit has brought this verse to my attention many times in recent months. I see it in a different way than I ever have before. 

 

Jesus didn’t say, “Follow Me and immediately go out and win people to Christ.” He didn’t say, “Follow Me and frantically try to figure out how to win souls.” He didn’t say, “Follow Me and take a course on how to win sinners to the Lord.”

 

He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It’s a simple instruction. Follow Me. I will then make you a fisher of men. 

 

I follow. He changes me into a fisher of people. He makes me a person who loves the lost and lives the Christ-life so they can see—so that they will want to live the same kind of life. 

 

Jesus called us to be salt and light. Salt makes people thirsty for Him. Light shows people the way to Him. 

 

Lord, here I am. I am following You. According to Your Word, please make me a fisher of lost humanity. 

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“You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14).

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Our Motivation: Love

I don't normally discuss politics or mention much about what is going on in our government, but I believe the Lord wants me to say some things....

I understand the anger. I am angry too.

But outbursts of anger don't help anyone. It doesn't change anything. The Word tells us it is the kindness of God that draws men to repentance. We must be compelled by the love of God.

Let's redirect our anger. Let's be angry with the enemy of our souls who spreads lies. Let's be angry at the one who has blinded the eyes of people so they can't see and understand how much God loves them.

Let's show them God's love. We must pray for them. Pray for their eyes to be opened.

Yes, we can take authority. But that must be done in prayer. In the spirit realm, we can take authority over the enemy. Just five minutes of true intercession and Holy Spirit inspired spiritual warfare will do more than five months or five years of ranting on the internet.

We have this war of words going on. And no one is convincing anyone else. Yes, we have freedom of speech. I understand that. But let's allow the Holy Spirit to check what comes out of our mouths or out of our fingers flying across the keyboard.

God help us to remember that everything believers do and everything we say must be done from the motivation of love!

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Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

Not Perfect—Forgiven

While reading social media posts, I have noticed that when a believer shares the gospel, there are some who react in a hostile manner. At times Christians are accused of thinking they are better than others, and some even question the right of a Christ follower to state their opinion. 

I believe that most of us who serve the Lord do not consider ourselves better than others. Many of us lived broken and empty lives before coming to Christ and are so grateful for the new life we’ve been given. 

I am humbled and thankful that Jesus was willing to take my sins upon Himself and die on the cross so that I could become His and that I could live a life of purpose for Him. 

 

Instead of being offended and reacting negatively on social media, we as believers need to be willing to respond with love. 

Our message to the world should be, “I am not perfect. But thankfully, I am forgiven. Not because of any goodness in me. Forgiveness came at a high cost—the life of God’s precious Son. And this forgiveness is available to you as well!”

 

Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son. Thank You for new life that is available for all. Please help Your children to be humble, kind, and loving as we share the gospel with others.

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But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. (Acts 20:24, NLT)

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17, NIV)

I Am His Masterpiece

Many times throughout my life I have compared myself to others and have judged myself “not enough.” I think a lot of us are guilty of this. We see someone else’s talents and believe ours are so much less. 

Recently the Lord reminded me that he has given me what I need to fulfill what He has assigned me to do. I don’t need someone else’s voice or someone else’s abilities. I have what God has given me. He has assured me He can use my voice and my gifts to accomplish His will through my life. 

If you’re struggling with the fear of not being enough, let me encourage you. God knew what He was doing when He created you. He didn’t get it wrong. After all, He is the Master! Trust Him to help you be the person He created you to be! 

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For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10-NLT)

God's Great Love!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)

I love that word—lavished! God has covered us with His love! He has freely poured out his love upon us!

 

Lavish means “to bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities.” In my imagination, I see myself completely covered and swimming in God’s love!

That’s the kind of God I serve. He loves us so much that He gave the greatest gift—His one and only Son to die for us. He has given us new life that we could live a full life now and then live forever with Him!

The world is looking for love—most of the time in the wrong places. God has granted the gift of His love, which is greater than any other love we will ever encounter. All we have to do is reach out and accept it from Him!

Father, thank You for Your great love that You have lavished upon us through Jesus Christ Your Son! 

Are You Ready for Eternity?

I was contemplating life the other day—and death. As I get older, the subject of death seems to enter my thoughts more. Not in a morbid way. Just a realization that it really is going to happen—even to me.

We all experience the loss of loved ones as they leave this earthly life and step into eternity. It is a part of our existence that we cannot escape. My first experience of losing someone really close was when my first husband went to heaven. Death became starkly real in a way I had never experienced before. 

Though thinking about death can be unpleasant, it is something to which we should give attention, no matter our age. God, being omniscient, knows when each of us will leave this world. We don’t.  

There are important decisions to be made before our last moment arrives. We need to make preparations for the family we leave behind. But more importantly, spiritual preparation needs to be made to ensure that we attain eternal life.

Heaven and Hell are real places. And what you decide in the here and now will determine where you go when you die. Your decision should not be put off into a future that you may not have.

The Word of God tells us that becoming a follower of Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Please choose to make Jesus the Lord of your life while you still have the opportunity!

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)