Yesterday we were riding in the car and came up with a goofy game flipping a coin and calling out “jinks”, “Double-jinks”, etc. I laughed harder than I had in weeks. What joy in such a simple time spent together.

This opened the door to talk about God and our relationship with Him.

What does this have to do with sacrificing our children to false gods? Often times we are so engrossed in our technology we sacrifice opportunities to invest, love, and train them as God commands us.

We buy them the latest digital babysitter and sacrifice them on the alter for our convenience. This is obviously extreme, but realistically, who of us couldn’t do a better job dropping the phone and picking up your sons and daughters.

This passage convicted me coming out of a busy season and reminded me of our calling to teach our children to observe the commands of our God.

Invest in your family today!

#MPWarrior

#NoFalseGods

#NoSacrificingOurChildren

In Him, we have salvation and victory over past, present, and future sin.  We have received Him as Lord and Savior

In Him, we have been firmly rooted in truth.  In that truth we have confidence, assurance of faith, and the strength to weather any storm. 

In Him, we are built up and established in faith. He is with us and will be till the end of the age. Faithfully He walks with us carefully guiding us as our faith is increased. 

In Him, we are filled with gratitude.  What other response can we give when He has rescued, redeemed and rooted us in Him?  When we meditate on who He is and all He has done we will be overflowing with that joy and gratitude. 

Let us walk for Him and in Him today that we may experience the life abundantly as He has desired for us!

Reflection

Are you truly living in Him today or are you just doing a lot of stuff for Him?

Take some time to out loud praise Him for all of these blessings we have in Him.  

Enjoy His presence today!

Prayer 

Father you are a good, good Father and have given us life abundantly in Christ.  May we probe the depths of this mystery and immerse ourselves in Him that we may be a pleasing Aroma to our Father in heaven and all that we encounter.  Bless this world through the powerful acts of grace you have worked in our lives. May our lips praise you continually. In Jesus, Amen!

The fact of the matter is, we often need a comforter; One that can help us through the tough times and make us feel better.  All three of the signs above promise comfort but instead delivery slavery.  I don’t speak this as a judgemental outsider, but as one who has been under control of a slave master.  

Slaves are not free, not just physically, but also spiritually, mentally, emotionally and financially.  A slave master will stop at nothing to make sure you remain in bondage and will pull out all the dirty tricks to keep you there.  He will deceive you into thinking these thoughts:

     “You are worthless”

     “You’re alone”

     “You have no purpose”

     “You’re unloved and unlovable”

These are all lies.  The word of God tells us:

That if God cares for the sparrow, how much more valuable are we?  

He sent us one and only Son to die for us.  Does that not communicate immense value.   

When Jesus gives the Great Commission, he is giving us purpose and promises that we will never be alone.  

Again God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dies for us(Romans 5:8).  His love for us has never been dependent on our performance. 

So as you choose your comforter and master choose wisely.  For not all masters care like our Heavenly Father.  Choose Him and you choose life. Choose other comforters and you choose to invite death into every corner of your life

Reflections

Where are you most likely to choose a comforter and master other then God?

Have you really been satisfied, or is it leaving you even less comforted?

Turn from these comforters and confess to your Father in heaven that you have Chosen another over Him. He will hear your cry and reestablish your feet on solid ground

Prayer

Father, we have forgotten You and Your power to comfort and save.  Empower us to repent.  Remind us of Your truth and let us not be deceived.  For you alone can rescue, You alone can save.  You are our rock and comforter, let our eyes be fixed and content in Your provision of Christ. By His name, we pray. Amen!

The first truth we need to understand is that justice doesn’t always happen immediately.  Instead, it happens in the timing and context of God’s perfect will.  Justice can be served quickly, but often we might feel that it is delayed longer than we think it should be.  This could be because God is not willing that any should perish and His grace draws even our accusers and abusers to Himself.

Secondly, where we would seek punishment, He desires repentance. Being rich in mercy, He has offered the most miserable of sinners the greatest gift of grace.  Would we really want God to operate as we do?  Where would we be ourselves, if God only sought punishment? Not in a good place for sure!

Lastly, vengeance is not ours but god’s.  Our focus needs to be on Him, which in turn, brings forth Thanksgiving, testimony, and praise.  These three are well within your grasp and authority.  When we trust God is the perfect balance of Grace and justice, we are truly free to worship Him as He deserves!

Reflection

What injustice is distracting your worship of God?

What would happen if you let go of that injustice and clung tightly to our Father in heaven?

Rather than vengeance make your life about thanksgiving, testimony, and praise. For the problem of injustice is that it distracts us from our worship and enjoyment of our Father in heaven.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are all knowing. For only You can judge rightly.  By Your Spirit, we ask the You would empower us to trust in Your justice and perfect will.  You will bring down the stronghold of our enemies in Your time.  You will break the greatest of enemies to pieces and all will one day know you as LORD; whether as an enemy or Your child.   Use our perceived injustice to demonstrate Your grace, teach us who You are, and carry out your mission.  Let us be focused on You and our worship be unhindered. Fill us with thankfulness, testimony, and praise, in the power of Christ, Amen!