The Glory of the Lord

Moses saw the back of God’s form when he went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments from the Lord. The experience was so amazing that his face shone so brightly with the glory of the Lord that no one could look at him. His face was as dazzling as the sun itself. Today, authentic Born Again Believers have this same glory of the Lord resident within us by His Spirit.

The Law, which Moses delivered to Israel on tablets of stone, was a dispensation in God’s government. It gave mankind a chance to earn God’s blessings (2 Corinthians 3:7-8). The Law was very impressive, and it successfully instructed Israel for generations of time. Yet, Jesus eventually came to fulfill the law and to pay the actual penalty of our sin (Matthew 5:17; 1 Peter 2:24).

Jesus brought the glory of His Spirit in Him, which is even more glorious than what Moses experienced. Moses wore a veil so the Israelites could not see that the glory was fading away, just like the ministry of the law (2 Corinthians 3:9-14). However, we have the glorious Spirit of God dwelling within us now and for all eternity.

Nothing can deter us from serving God according to His perfect will for our life (Ephesians 2:10). We are filled with the glory of God each and every day. God removed the veil from our eyes and we can see Him face-to-face. He is our living, intimate God, and He has no desire for us to keep the dead letter of the law (1 Corinthians 3:15-16).

God is personally present in our life and sets us free from the spirit of the Law of Sin and Death by the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). We can never earn our own forgiveness or our salvation apart from Christ (Romans 2:8-9). In God’s presence, His glory in us gradually increases with our spiritual walk. It shines out of our countenance, and people know that there is something different about us (1 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Prayer:

Father God, the more we spend time in Your presence, the more we are transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). You are changing us from glory to glory (1 Corinthians 3:18). Remind us to make you the first priority in our life. Help those who know You superficially to come to a real, saving knowledge of salvation through Your Son (1 Timothy 2:4).

Thought for the Day:

We can love Christian songs, tee-shirts, bumper stickers, church services and fellowship; yet, never know Jesus in a personal way.

Viva la Technolongy

 

Technology improves our human existence in many ways. Among other things, it controls pollution, it keeps us connected all over the world, it controls a car and flies an airplane, it registers the weather and helps us to prepare for it, it gives reviews on information we are interested in, it enhances a surgeon’s ability in the operating room and photographs the inside of our body for medical information, it checks our spelling and it can even research the Bible in an instant.

However, technology can also be an idol in our life. Have you ever noticed that people can no longer sit still? We have electronic devices such as the TV, radio, iPad, iPod, laptops, tablets, smart phones, and the list goes on into infinity. They are always “ON”. We rarely take the time to sit quietly to think or pray. Flashing pictures, text messages and sound waves constantly distract our attention. We have televisions in the kitchen, in the garage and now they are even showing up in the bathroom.

We have several Biblical examples of people who actually walked with God. Enoch walked with God and God took Him home to His house (Genesis 5:22-24). Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9). God walked with the Israelite nation (Exodus 33:14; Leviticus 26:12). The biggest blessing is that God and His Christ make their abode within the heart of anyone who keeps His Word (John 14:23). As we keep His commandments, we dwell in Him, and He dwells in us by His Spirit whom He gives us (1 John 3:24).

I love silence. I spend much of the Night Watch (Psalm 119:148) in silence, listening to the voice of God as He teaches, comforts and inspires me. He pours His love over me like a waterfall and fills my soul with His peace. If I chose to sit in front of the TV or Internet instead, I would miss this wondrous intimacy with my Heavenly Daddy. I can even take this intimacy with me wherever I go, every moment of any day of the week and into any situation. You can too.

Prayer:

Father God, You motivate us to stay in constant fellowship with You and to stand against the temptation to have any idol rule our life. Your presence motivates us and gives us rest. We find favor in Your sight and we are Your people. You distinguish us from all other people, because we belong to You (Exodus 33:14-17; Leviticus 26:12). Thank You for allowing us to be one with You and Your Christ in perfect unity in Your love (John 17:23).

Thought for the Day:

Rejoice, be at peace, be comforted and complete, for the God of love and peace dwells in you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11

The Tyranny of Life

 

Too often we miss out on what God wants us to see in this one particular moment of time. We are so sad about something in the past, and too fearful about the unknown aspects of the future, that we forget to rejoice in today. We miss out on the grace of God, because we are too busy wanting what we do not have. We forfeit the peace and joy of the Lord, because we take for granted the gifts from God that we do have. We are too busy yearning for something, which we think will make us happy. We are not content or satisfied with God’s provisions in our life right now.

We act like the Israelites who were never satisfied with anything God provided for them. We have an image of what we want in our life and we disdain everything else. We overlook the true blessings from God because He did not provide like we expected Him to, or in the timing that we desired. Satan whispers his lies in our ear during our most vulnerable times and we believe them. We end up believing Satan’s lies over God’s truth. We torture our self with our thoughts.

Our fear, frustration and discontentment in life come from a soul that is worshipping something or someone else more than we are worshipping God. We have an idol in our life. We long for a person, place or thing more than we long for more of God in our life. We fail to see that God’s love is enough. Period. God will honor you for putting Him first in your life. He will use you to make a difference for His Kingdom.

When you get to heaven a sea of people that you do not even know will run up to you and thank you for your service and sacrifice; because you inspired the person who led them to Christ. So forget about your self and what you think you need. Immerse your mind in thoughts about making a difference for Christ, and your time in actions involving the Kingdom of God. Then He will provide you with everything you need in His timing and way. He will meet all of your needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

If we spend all of our time focusing on what we do not have, quoting scripture at God in an attempt to force His hand to supply our needs the way we want Him to, or allowing self-pity to eat us alive from the inside out, then we will overlook all of the blessings God has for us right now in this moment. The only way to find deliverance and redemption from the tyranny of life is to be grateful for this one moment of time and to praise God in it and for it.

Prayer:

Father God, You transform our pain and trials into victories as long as we look to You in the midst of them. Forgive us for wanting anything in this life more than we want You. Help us to be satisfied with Your provision and not to make demands on You. Remind us that You know what is best for us, and that You will give us what You want us to have in Your timing and way. Remind us not to spend part of our day with You, but to spend every moment of our day with you instead, listening to Your Spirit and walking in Your will for our life.

Thought for the Day:

God always sustains us with His love, even in our times of suffering and loss.