Embrace the Within no. 175

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, ‘The just and upright shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17 AMP).

I went through a stage in my life where I was ashamed to be a Christian. Today there is a lot of shame being sent my way for being a Christian. In those days, many folks were going to churches on the weekends and acting like they didn’t the rest of the week. Today a lot of folks aren’t even pretending to know God. Regardless, the world is going to try to make me ashamed of being set apart and believing in the Way of the Lord.

I take refuge in God’s Word because, “. . . in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed . . .” which allows my knowledge of God to begin “. . . springing from faith and leading to faith”. Never underestimate the importance of reading His Word daily, thinking about His Word daily, and praying about his Word daily. Those are three important components of my walk in the Way of the Lord.

I can’t know someone unless I take the time to figure them out. And the best way to try and figure out God is through the Word He has provided. Reading the scripture and diving into His relationships with humanity over the years gives me a better insight into His character. I learn better about His covenant with humanity. I learn how He has revealed Himself to us and the lessons we learned and the lessons we are still working on learning. I read the poems and songs written to Him. I read prophecies about what He has foretold to people about His nature. I read letters about people struggling with understanding how to live in obedience to Him. And I read stories of countless folks being both obedient and disobedient to His Will.

When I read those words on the page I then get to choose to think about the knowledge and wisdom those words impart to my life. I get to read and study how those stories, poems, prophecies, and letters reveal lessons for my life. I don’t leave those lessons in the past. I allow God to translate those lessons into an application for my daily walk in the Way of the Lord. I need to reflect upon His wisdom daily in order for my life to be affected and effect change in the world around me.

And most importantly, I speak with Him about those lessons and my daily walk. It is really difficult to have a relationship with someone to whom I don’t communicate. And even then, sometimes my communications are flawed because I do not adequately explain what I mean. The great part of my communication with God is that He knows what I need and what I want before I even ask. So even when my prayers are muddled and confusing, even when my mind is full of emotions and turmoil, even when I am confused and lost, He knows what I need and He can provide that for me. And the more I spend time talking to Him, the better our communication will become. The better I will understand Him. The better I will hear what He wants me to know. The better I will walk in His Way.

I will live a life that is just and upright by placing faith not in what man has created BUT in what God provides because, “The just and upright shall live by faith”. If I want to put my trust in Him, then I will get a better walk on this side of eternity. He is giving me the opportunity each day to live a just and upright life if only I obey His Word.

I pray that today I read and study more of His Word. I pray that I spend time thinking about what I have read and apply that reading to my life. I pray that, through prayer and study, I learn to understand God better.

Grace and Shalom to your home. I pray that through that understanding of God I become a better person and a better Ambassador of His Kingdom.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH

Embrace the Within no. 174

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that many times I have planned to come to you, (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit [of my labors] among you, even as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I have a duty to perform and a debt to pay both to Greeks and to barbarians [the cultured and the uncultured], both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am ready and eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome” (Romans 1:13-15).

I have a responsibility to the cultured and the uncultured. I have a duty to the educated and the uneducated. I have a service to perform to all. Today we tend to think of divisions as points of pride and honor. I use division to elevate myself over others that I feel better than to make those others feel less than. BUT that is not the way in the Kingdom of God. The divisions are not there to elevate anyone over anyone else. The divisions are not there to make some feel less or others feel better. I have sinned. You have sinned. We all have sinned. And we all need the sacrifice of Christ.

I have historically been setting myself apart from another group and the vast majority of people my entire life. I had been doing this in the past because of feelings of superiority to their inferiority. That has changed through salvation and sanctification. I am set apart BUT not in any way that makes me better or others inferior. I am set apart only because He chose to allow me salvation, “'. . . for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago] . . .” (2 Timothy 1:9 AMP). My works do not set me apart from the world. He sets me apart from the world.

And I think that too often one of the things that I lack is humility when approaching salvation and sanctification. There is no lack of boasting and pride in the world today even in making poor decisions. Folks will gladly wear their poor choices as a point of honor and are willing to share these decisions proudly. How much more should I humbly share the importance of salvation and sanctification? How much should I show pride and honor to my God that has granted these things to me? How often should I show the fruits of the spirit to all people, “ . . . love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP)?

I pray that I see past division and into the unity of all people as images of God. I pray that I see past division and into the importance of sharing His salvation and sanctification with all. I pray that my boasting be in the Lord and what He has done and not in my own works. I pray that in getting past division and my own pride in order to do His work. I pray that this taking on of His calling will allow me to be a better Ambassador for His Kingdom.

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH