Tag: honor
What transformation looks like!
Scripture reading for May 31st: Romans 12, Psalm 108, Proverbs 15
Romans 12: 9-18 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection, outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Although our salvation totally depends on God’s grace by faith, the process of sanctification and transformation is a joint action of us humbly submitting to Christ Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and instruct us in God’s ways. The Holy Spirit brings a river of God’s love into our hearts. This makes genuine love possible towards others, especially brothers and sisters in Christ. We have a heightened sense of good and evil, hating evil and embracing good. We become generous and gracious, showing affection and giving honor. We have zeal, love in action, instead of laziness. We are humble and peace-making, and live in an understanding way towards others with their needs or faults. With God living in us, we can do valiantly and defeat our worldly passions and our foe, Satan.
Psalm 108:12-13 “Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is He Who will tread down our foes.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me in the process of transformation. I humbly invite Your Helper to instruct me, empower me to make needed changes and live valiantly in triumph over my foes and my own flesh. I confess that my own efforts are feeble at best, without Your help. Through You, I will do valiantly and see You tread down my enemies! Amen!
Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
Let the earth rejoice!
Scripture reading for June 26th: Psalms 93-96
Key Scriptures: Psalm 96:11-13 “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His truth.”
The psalmist brings forth a new song for the earth to sing. He commands the heavens to rejoice and the earth to be glad. He asks that the seas resound and those living in the ocean depths. He can see fields jubilant and and trees singing as the Lord God returns to the earth to judge the world and people in righteousness and truth! The people are to ascribe glory, strength and honor to the Supreme Ruler and Judge of all!
Let heaven, earth, and mankind rejoice: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever.”” (Revelation 5:13)
God our Rock of rest!
Scripture reading for June 15th: Psalms 61-65
Key Scriptures: Psalm 62:5-8 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Selah
David encouraged himself in the Lord. He had healthy self-talk and healthy God-centered worship! We find him confessing rest in God alone in this psalm (vs 1) and then commanding his soul to find rest in God alone! (vs 5) He declared that God was his only hope of salvation and honor and his refuge! He encouraged all peoples to make God their refuge and cast their cares on Him!
Jesus calls us to rest in Him: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)