Who's My Master?

Originally published on June 30, 2015, four days after the Supreme Court legalized Gay marriage

"Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!

For the LORD has spoken:

'I reared children and brought them up,

but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its master,

the donkey its owner's manger,

but Israel does not know,

my people do not understand.'"

Isaiah 1:2-3

The past few days have been quite eye-opening.  After the news came out that the Supreme Court had narrowly decided to legalize gay marriage nationwide, I was shocked to see the opinions of many self-professing Christians who celebrated the decision.  I wondered how anyone claiming Christ as Lord and Savior could buy into such a morally corrupt belief.

While I tend to think we have reached new lows as both a society and a people of God, I read the words found in the prophecies of Isaiah and I realize there really is nothing new under the sun.  We have been here before, and the problems are quite similar as to the ones facing the nation of Israel.  While beasts of burden instinctively know who their master is, man is quite another story.

Without Excuse.  He left His mark on everything He created, giving His image-bearers clues to His character.  The consistency and predictability of the rising and setting of the sun and moon speaks to His steadfast, unchanging nature (Malachi 3:6).  The delicate intricacy of a flower reveals His love of beauty and His attention to detail (Psalm 139:14).  The joyous singing of the birds each morn gives me a glimpse of how much He adores the praise from His designed creatures (Psalm 66:4).  There are constant reminders of Himself throughout creation.

Therefore, I am without excuse when I turn away from Him and choose to follow my own darkened heart (Romans 1:20).  Even more, those who truly have repented of their sinful ways and have put on Christ Jesus as Lord experience the benefit of the Holy Spirit to guide, convict of sinful ways, and empower to live a holy life (John 7:39, Titus 2:11-12).  Consequently, I grieve His indwelling Spirit when I act as if I know no better by living according to my flesh and as if I belong to the world (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

I am without excuse when I choose to believe as the world does instead of trusting in what my conscience knows is right.

Rebellion.  I've seen plenty of rebellious children in my day, some right under my own roof.  In fact, I'm so familiar with defiance because my heart often disregards the leading of God's indwelling Spirit.  But there is more to this rebellious spirit than meets the eye.  

When I fail to acknowledge God as sovereign, that He is my master through faith in Jesus Christ, I am in a sense dissenting from God's righteous judgement.  I am saying that I think my way is better than His, that I know better or can see more clearly than He can.  I am bucking His authority over me as His child and am instead bowing to a different god, one who is more like me, is socially acceptable and morally lenient:  A god with whom I am more comfortable.  This kind of idolatry, however, is not welcomed in the kingdom of God, and therefore belongs not in the heart of a Kingdom dweller (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

For example, Gay marriage is not marriage at all, but is a cheap substitute created by man to serve his sinful purposes.  Since God did not create it, I, as His child, have no business supporting it let alone rejoicing in it's lawlessness (Matthew 19:4-6, Genesis 1:27, 2:20-25).  Doing so defies the very nature of love which does not "rejoice at wrongdoing"  (1 Corinthians 13:6).  Real love did not win out that historic day, and to profess so is to blaspheme a holy God whose very nature is love (1 John 4:8).

When I as a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ turn away from God's standard of holy living, I have become rebellious against Him (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Clueless.  His ways are difficult, going against my nature, conflicting with my natural desires (Romans 7:15-25, Galatians 5:17) .  Therefore, when I come up against God's infallible wall, His standards and law, I must either adjust myself and my way of thinking until I agree with it, or I reject it.  I cannot, instead, try to conform God into someone with whom I am more comfortable, a cuddly, Father-time type character who looks the other way when it comes to the sin I welcome into my life.  This is called idolatry and it is a serious offense to God because I am creating a false god who doesn't mind my sin (1 Corinthians 10:6-14).

Who is my master if I rejoice in sinful lifestyles, refusing to warn those who are perishing of the consequences of their actions?  It may not make me popular, but can my conscience let me ignore the suffering all around me or even support those who are doomed to destruction (1 John 3:4-10, 2 Peter 2:4-10)?

I am acting as if I were clueless to God's true nature when I create an altogether false god to worship in His place.

I call myself a Christian yet do I know who my Master is?  I would be wise to let God examine my heart in terms of my response to the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling of June 26, 2015 and all subsequent actions by its supporters, including the aggressive agenda to indoctrinate our children into believing gay marriage is a healthy alternative or the endorsement of a former president claiming Jesus would approve .  I am without excuse as to God's immutable character yet often rebel in my desire to fit in with the world, acting as if I were clueless as to the nature of God.  In these ways, beasts of burden seem to have more sense than I.  Who is my master, anyway?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can honestly open my heart to God so He can test my intentions.

When do I support a cause without truly understanding its root or implications?

How do I follow my own understanding instead of trusting God?

Light in the Darkness

"The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned."

Isaiah 9:2

They could really use a little hope.  Things looked pretty bad for the people of God.  And what was the message God used to encourage His wayward people as they faced exile in a  time of great darkness which was a serious consequence for their unfaithfulness?  "I am sending the Light."  We as 21st Century people who are no less wayward are the beneficiaries of this prophecy.  But do we see His benefit, or would we rather stay in the dark (John 3:19)?

Counselor.  I always need guidance.  There is a constant need for help.  My inferior perspective cannot make out the course I am meant to navigate.  Therefore, I need a counselor.  And in Christ I have one always available.  But I must seek His counsel, it doesn't just come automatically through osmosis (James 1:5-7).  The choice is mine:  Follow my own ways or actively seek His.  When I ask Him for wisdom without holding back, believing He truly holds all the answers to my questions, the solutions to my problems, the only direction in the darkness, then He will generously bestow His insight upon me.

Jesus Christ is my Wonderful Counselor.

Mighty.  There are many gods to choose from.  I could try adhering to a plethora of religious principles, hoping they could save me from the meaninglessness of life, from the hopelessness I feel,  from the destruction of myself.  But none is powerful enough, all are impotent and limited in scope.  Jesus Christ is the only God who solved mankind's core problem:  sin.  Its what broke His creation, twisted everything good into something evil, turned what God meant into something He never intended.  But Jesus, in taking upon Himself that destructive sin that introduced death into His perfect Creation, introduced hope that everything will be set back as it was meant to be.  And this redemptive power is at work today in those who wholly trust their lives to Him.  He turns ashes into beauty, suffering into rejoicing, the bad into the good (Isaiah 61:1-3).  

Jesus Christ is my Mighty God.

Unlimited.  Everything I know, that I'm familiar with, is limited.  Whatever surrounds me has a beginning and a conclusion, is unable to meet all my needs, has boundaries.  Whatever power I turn to in this physical world comes to an end at some point, running out of steam and needing to be replenished.  Not with Jesus.  His strength and ability to care for His people never runs out (Isaiah 40:28).  I can count on Him whose power and dominion knows no boundaries.  In fact, everything I see belongs to Him and since He loves to give good things to His children, I can rely on Him to supply my needs, quench my thirst, fill my void (Psalm 50:10, Matthew 7:11, Matthew 6:32). This is the kind of God upon whom I can place my faith.

Jesus Christ is my Everlasting Father.

Reconciliatory.  He did what no one else could do.  He bridged the void sin left between mankind and God.  He filled the gap that sin created.  His work on the cross built a bridge between me the wretched and God the good.  His ministry of reconciliation delivered peace between God and myself whom my flesh made into His natural enemy (Colossians 1:22, Romans 5:10).  Not only this, but He also made a way for this peace to be available within myself, guarding my heart against fear and my mind against anxiety (Philippians 4:7).

Jesus Christ is my Prince of Peace.

He is the Light of the world, yet many would rather stay in the darkness.  To those who step into His wonderful Light, however, the risk taken in giving all to Him pays off in dividends whose value we cannot fathom.  Jesus is my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.  These are the benefits I receive by faith when I leave behind the darkness and enter into His beautiful Light.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to give Jesus my entire life, leaving the darkness of my sins behind.

When do I cling to my sin, unwittingly choosing it over the Light?

How would it change my life to know I can go to Jesus with any problem I encounter?   

The Choice

"'Come now, let us settle the matter,'

says the LORD.

'Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you will eat the good things of the land;

but if you resist and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.'

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Isaiah 1:18-20 

I look at the decisions being made by the powers that be in this country and I come to the conclusion that discipline is coming.  As a nation, we have sunk so low, offended God in so many ways, turned from Him and toward iniquity so severely that I know He cannot keep His hand of protection upon us.  But is it the choices being made by the lost that offends Him most, or is the Body of Christ itself an affront to God?

Jesus begs a decision.  I can't sit on the fence when it comes to Him; I'm either for Him or against Him, in His corner or fighting against Him, living by the Spirit under grace or operating according to the flesh under law (Matthew 12:30, Galatians 5:16, Romans 7:5-6).  I must not do as the people of Judah did, going through the motions of religion and worship, identifying myself as a Christian yet living like I'm still a slave to sin, as if Jesus didn't die to free me from the very thing that sent Him to the cross (Romans 6:18, Hebrews 10:29) .

While salvation is mine through faith in Christ, there is still an issue of the heart I must face within that relationship.  Otherwise, I'm rebelling against God and can expect discipline as my Shepherd guides me back to His fold.  This kind of rebellion within the church may be the greater problem Americans face this day.

Willing.  His greed and carnal desires had him trapped.  He wanted the luscious fruit, yet he wanted freedom, too.  Little did he know, he couldn't have both.  The monkey picked up the scent of the bait and eagerly reached into the box in order to grab the treat, but soon he found himself stuck.  The little guy wasn't able to free his hand no matter how hard he tried.  He had a sense that letting go of the tempting food would free his hand from the trap, but he couldn't bring himself to do without such sensual pleasures.  His life just wouldn't be the same without it, or so he thought.  His stubbornness led to his demise.

Oh how tempting is the flesh!  As a human presented with the Gospel of Christ, I eagerly desire to have the assurance of eternal life, the peace of mind that comes from knowing my sins are covered and my fate is sure.  Yet the sensual desires of my natural self rules me.  I am as unwilling as that doomed monkey to let go of that which brings fleshly satisfaction and pleasure, stubbornly holding on to the very thing that condemns me.  I can't live for Christ and for self; I must choose one or the other.

To live in Christ is to be willing to die to self (Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 4:22-24, Luke 9:23).

Obedient.  The Bible is often seen as an instruction manual of sorts, a guide on how to live a righteous life.  Instead of treating God's Word as a textbook for me to follow by the letter, it is vital that I understand it's transformational power, realizing that God has a mission and the holy Scriptures will accomplish all He sets out for them to achieve; supernaturally and powerfully (Isaiah 55:10-11, Hebrews 4:12).

Once I comprehend my role as a disciple of Christ, it is my passion for Him that will lead me to do as He commands, to submit to His wishes (John 14:15-16).  Instead of simply taking in His words as good advice, I will have a hunger to see them be fulfilled in my life.  As I surrender to God's renovation process, I will find a desire welling up within me to put the things I learn into practice (Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 3:10).  And I will also discover the grace necessary to empower me to do as He says as I rest in the work He has already accomplished on the cross on my behalf.

True transformation takes place when my heart is devoted to Jesus, as evidenced by my desire to obey His commands.

High Cost.  They didn't think it through.  Instead, the went with their gut, blindly and foolishly hoping that their meager paychecks would be enough to cover the cost of living in the house of their dreams.  Unfortunately, they discovered they were often short and had to dip into their retirement account in order to make up the difference.  If only this unfortunate couple had considered the high cost of living outside their means, then they wouldn't be in such a difficult situation.

In the same way that there is a cost of living that must be taken into account before buying a house, there is also a high price to pay in terms of what I will surrender when giving my life to Jesus (Luke 14:25-33).  Instead of going into the relationship without full knowledge of what I will give up, only focusing on what I will receive, I may soon find myself disillusioned.  Where's this abundant life I was promised?  How come troubles keep coming my way?  I thought life would be easier once I gave myself to Christ.  Instead, it only seems to get harder, and to think of all I gave up for Jesus. . . 

There is a high cost to following Jesus and I should come into the relationship with my eyes wide open, otherwise I will run out of resolve and won't be able to stand firm until the end when I'll receive my reward (1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 3:14).

Perhaps one of the main problems in this country lies not in the ungodly leadership decisions but within the hearts of God's people.  As one who professes Christ as Lord and Savior, it is mandatory that I be willing to surrender my will and repent of my sins, to devote myself to Jesus so I'll want to do as He says, and to accept the high cost that comes from living in Him.  The choice is mine; either I'm for Him or against Him.  A life lived in Him, however, is never a life wasted. . . and the benefits are out of this world!

As I begin this day it is my desire that I can fully commit myself to Christ, letting go of every desire that hampers my journey.

When do I want it all; salvation and to live my way?

How am I offending God with my stubbornness?         

  

Now is the Time

"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,

before the evil days come

and the years draw near of which you will say,

'I have no pleasure in them'. . ."

Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV

People often think they can put off coming to Jesus, that there will be plenty of time to live in relationship with Him later.  Things are going fine, they reason, I'll just wait 'til I need Him, after I've lived a little.

Why wait?  How long is my life?  How much time do I have?  No one knows.  Therefore, now is the time for repentance from sin that leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10).  Now, when things are good, living is carefree and I'm in my prime.  Otherwise, I'll discover I've wasted my life!

Voluntarily.  He always knew God was there calling his name.  Instead of responding, though, he waited, placing God on hold where he could deal with Him later, when the time was right.  Then came the accident when he lost his sight.  No longer could he live as he once did, and the blind man knew God was giving him a wake-up call.  Hello!  I'm here and I want to be part of your life!  You are headed toward destruction!  Turn around and come toward Me where you will find life (Matthew 7:13-14, John 10:9-10, John 14:6)!

While salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is powerful no matter how and when I come, how sweet it is to come freely and of my own volition.  While ultimately it is God who is drawing me to Christ, it is up to me to respond or to resist, to cooperate or to defy, to give in or to stand firm in my destructive ways.  I can either wait until I hit rock bottom when I've tried everything else and failed to find peace and love, or I can put my faith in Jesus Christ now, giving Him my whole life.  The first is looking for proof or a guarantee while the second is taking God at His Word.  If I give Him a try I'll see how much better living with Him is (Psalm 34:8). 

Instead of trying all there is and coming up empty or waiting for a crisis to hit that will wake me up from my ignorant slumber, what a blessing it is to come to Jesus voluntarily.

Whole Life.  When I observe those who came to Christ early, who wholly submitted to Him at a young age, I grieve for all the years I lost to the sowing of fleshly oats.  Instead of the privilege of giving all my years to Him, I only have what is left.  When my body was young and before I had family responsibilities, who knows how God could have used me, what adventures I could have had while serving others in the name of Christ?  While I can't go back, I can warn others not to waste their lives on foolish pursuits that seem so important now but in the end, when standing before a holy God in the face of eternity, will not amount to anything (John 15:5-6).

There is another consideration regarding the timing of repentance.  The earlier I submit to God's plan for my life, entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ, the sooner reconstruction can begin.  There is much to transform in my life, and this sanctification is a lifelong process (Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:6).  It brings me great joy to see young people growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowing how special it is to experience His presence for all their days (2 Peter 3:18).

Instead of working against God until my final days, what a blessing it is to offer a lifetime to Jesus!

Preparation.  It's easy to see the United States and the world at large is headed in the wrong direction.  The mass slaughter of innocent babies is legalized and socially acceptable.  The name of Jesus Christ is a dirty word, often relegated to the use as a curse word.  Prayer to the One true God is considered an affront to a people who arrogantly and hypocritically claim tolerance.  Deviant sexual behaviors are celebrated and labeled as alternative lifestyles.  Identity has ceased to be a God-given trait and is now seen as self-assumed; I am whatever I want myself to be.  Self has clearly replaced God in this culture.

With things headed in such a destructive direction, how easy will it be to live for Christ in the days to come?  It may become a criminal offense to worship Jesus Christ, to mention His name, to proclaim His truths.  The days to come will only get worse for those who follow Christ.  Therefore, it makes sense to grow in my faith now in preparation for the days to come.  If I wait until tomorrow to make a decision about what I'll do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will I give my life to Him when the cost is higher than it already is?  Should I risk the fact that I may balk at giving up the security of this life in order to attain the eternal life offered by Jesus (Luke 9:24-25)?  Better to turn to Him now while the opportunity is here.  It may be too hard to repent later, when I'm rooted in this world and it turns even darker.  

Instead of waiting until it's physically dangerous to turn to Jesus, what a blessing it is to follow Christ in freedom now.

It's easy to sweep my sins under the rug, pretending not to hear Jesus as He knocks on the door of my heart.  Instead of putting Him off, however, there is much blessing to be found in giving my life to Him now.  I can willingly turn over my life in my prime so I have my whole life to serve and grow.  Then, when times become more caustic, my faith will be strong enough to stand the test.  Now is the time to turn away from my selfish ways and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).  I will never be sorry I did.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop resisting and start cooperating with Jesus.

How am I defiant to God?

When do I resist His advances, balking at His desire to come closer?  

  

Strong Foundation

"By the grace God has given me, 

I laid a foundation as an expert builder,

and someone else is building on it.

But each one should be careful how he builds.

For no on can lay any foundation

other than the one already laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold,

silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

his work will be shown for what it is,

because the Day will bring it to light.

It will be revealed with fire,

 and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

If what he has built survives,

he will receive his reward.

If it is burned up,

he will suffer loss;

he himself will be saved,

but only as one escaping through the flames."

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

The three were sent out into the world to make a life for themselves.  One chose the quick and easy route, taking the first job that came along and using his first paycheck to lease an apartment.  The second son decided to reach a little higher than his brother and sought a management position while saving up for a down-payment on a mortgage for his very own house.  The third son was the most ambitious and determined of them all, developing his own business from the ground up.  Soon, he amassed enough of a fortune to build a brick home.  

As my version of the story goes, the big bad stock market crashed, leaving the economy in bad shape.  The first son lost everything as his job was the first to be cut, leaving him out on the street.  The second was down-sized to a lower-paying job and he foreclosed on the home he bought on a whim.  The third son felt the impact of the downturn, but with his strong credit rating and business plan, he was able to weather the storm without much of a loss.

While life is not always like a fairy-tale, there is a lesson to be learned from every story.  Whatever I build my life upon will determine it's quality in the eyes of the Lord.  If I base my beliefs on what Oprah, Dr Phil, or even Pastor Paul says, I'm building on a weak foundation.  The only strong base for a life of meaning and purpose is to lay the groundwork starting with Jesus Christ.  Anything else will not survive the fire of God's judgment.  

If I'm serious about making Jesus the basis for my life, I can start with what He said about Himself in John 14:6a when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life."  Then, I will be able to weather any storm and can live with the assurance that my life will have an eternal impact.

Way

"There are many ways to get to God."  This common belief came from the mouth of one who grew up in the Catholic Church.  Lately, he had drifted from his roots and tried another religion.

While there may be many belief-systems designed with the goal of getting closer to God, only one leads to a true relationship with God the Father.  As a sinner who lives in a state of defiance against God's standard (Romans 3:23), I am doomed to destruction when I stand before God based on my own merit. (Romans 6:23a)  The only solution to my sin problem is for someone to take the punishment meant for my sins, giving me a chance to live instead of facing the death penalty.

Jesus Christ did this when He died on the cross, making a way for me to live eternally in the presence of a Holy God and experience His love in this life on a daily basis.  No other religion provides a remedy for the rift my sin creates between me and God.

Basing my life on the fact that Jesus is the only way will keep me on the narrow path that leads to life.  I may not have all the trappings those around me enjoy as they travel the wide path, but I will have peace they can never experience apart from Jesus. (Matthew 7:13-14)

The only strong foundation for my life is to believe that Jesus is the only way to God.

Truth

Most people today believe that truth is whatever is good for them.  What works for me may not work for you, but the understanding goes that there is no universal truth.

Building my life on this fallacy will lead to many pitfalls.  If I think lying is okay as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, I will soon find that deceit will always bring pain and suffering.  If it is my neighbor's belief that God doesn't mind how we live as long as we've accepted Jesus as our Savior, I will soon witness the fallout of living a life to please the flesh.  If my friend doesn't accept the teaching on forgiveness, our relationship will suffer as she holds a grudge against me.

Rejecting the idea of truth goes further than creating a life of chaos and misery.  In turning away from what is right I am turning away from Jesus Christ who is the Truth.  In Him is found the wisdom of God and the fulfillment of prophecies.  He is more than a Savior, He is also the source of all that I ever need to know about anything.

Basing my life on what Jesus teaches me will lead to a life that will stand under intense scrutiny.    No matter how hard someone tries to find some dirt, none will be found.  Accusations will fall flat and legal claims will come to nothing.  The result will be glory for God as others see all the good He is doing in my life.  (1 Peter 2:12)

The only strong foundation for my life is to believe that Jesus is the source of Truth.

Life

The daily grind: I wake up to the annoying sound of the alarm, shuffle to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, turn on the news to hear the depressing onslaught of tragedy, scandal and corruption for the day, and begin another day in a meaningless string of equally-as-insignificant days.  What kind of life is this?

Jesus addressed this tendency for humans to settle for a shallow existence.  He said He is the gate to the kingdom of God who gives those who follow Him a full life filled with meaning and purpose.  Satan, however, only desires to use men for his own purposes, leaving a feeling of emptiness and discontent.  (John 10:7-10)

As I accept the abundant life Jesus offers, I will find my motivation for work that came from a desire for self-promotion and wealth turn into a passion for the humble ministry to which He has called.  In the place of looking for ways to please myself and fill my own tank of happiness, I find a desire to cater to the needs of others.  While I once found great pleasure in talking about the difficulties other's face, coming up with wonderful solutions for their problems, I now discover a love for lifting them up in prayer.

Where once existed an empty, self-centered life, now has been replaced with an abundant life overflowing with the love and goodness of God.  (Psalm 23:5)

I can base my life on many things, whether it be materialism, the teachings of wise men, or the search for self-fulfillment.  Whatever I decide to make as the foundation for my life, I will one day stand before God.  Only a life lived for Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life, will be able to withstand the test.  I desire to build on the Strong Foundation!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to live as Jesus is leading me to live.

When do I get caught up in following teachings that don't line up with what Jesus taught?

In what ways is my life empty and meaningless? 

Thanksgiving

I will praise God’s name in song
   and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Giving Thanks  The turkey is roasting, the side dishes are awaiting their turn in the oven, the pies are resting, lined up in a row on the counter, the table is set and the guest are arriving.  This will be the scene in most American homes today as we celebrate a day in which we give thanks for the abundance of our lives.  But most of the time, my focus is on the feast and spending time with those gathered around the table.  Today, I want to give thanks for my God, who is merciful and gracious enough to give me another day.

His Love  Paul's prayer for the believers at Ephesus was that they, ". . . being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:18-19)  The love my Lord and Savior has for me is beyond my comprehension.  Today, I give thanks to my God who loves me this much! 

His Sovereignty  I love the imagery of Isaiah 43, with the thought that God will be with us when we pass through the waters, and the rivers will not sweep over us.  What a comfort to know the One who controls the universe is keeping us in such a way!  This passage ends with a statement of his absolute sovereignty.  " 'You are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand.   When I act, who can reverse it?' " (Isaiah 43:12b-13)  Today, I give thanks to my God who is in complete control.

The Cross My life would not be the same without my relationship with my Creator through faith in Jesus Christ.  There is no greater love that can be shown than how Jesus chose to die a horrible death on a Roman cross in order that I can be made righteous in the eyes of a Holy God.  Astounding!  I cannot fathom this kind of love, nor can I properly thank Him for this gift of salvation.  Songwriters Ian Eskelen and Chris Megert describe Christ's work on the cross in these lyrics of "Battle," performed by Chris August. 

There’s a battle between good and evil
And it’s raging inside of me
There’s a struggle - it’s God and the devil
It’s Love against the Enemy


Life’s a fight of wrong and right
That’s tearing me apart
Oh but what the cross has done
Yeah the world will try to battle for my heart
But the war is already won

Today, I give thanks to my God who has already won the battle between good and evil.  Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

As I begin this day of cooking, eating and celebrating, I pray that my heart will be inclined toward a loving, sovereign, redemptive God.