The Commandment's Purpose

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith…” (1 Tim. 1:5, New KJV)

We are a blessed people and nation because we have free access to God’s Word. In many of our homes Bibles can be seen and yet they often go untouched… unread. What a blessing we miss out on…

Not everyone in the world have this access… many people’s desire is not the Word of God… while many other’s seek it out, long for it to the point of smuggling it into their country… all to receive it’s instruction, guidance, and peace.

The heart of mankind seek the very truth that they also dispise. Our hearts seek peace and yet the only true peace comes from the Word of God.

Our hearts seek comfort and yet no lasting comfort will come without a ‘love out of a pure heart’. For an evil heart seeks comfort and finds it not. It is darkened by impurity and selfishness. Only when the heart is pure will true love shine forth. God’s Word purifies our hearts for it leads us to others and away from ourselves…

Our minds are often distraunt, filled with fear and troubled because our ‘conscience is not clear’. We’ve hurt someone, disobeyed our heart’s conscience, and our impure conscience is now troubled. God’s Word will lead us to a peace of mind, a comfort of thoughts, and peace from fear.

We desire to believe in others or in things or in our futures yet they fail our expectations. They can never measure up to our hopes and dreams. Believing in God’s Word and trusting its sayings teaches our hearts mercy and forgiveness for others. We recognize how often we fail others and we focus on our behavior instead of that of others.

God’s Word teaches us the fraility of materialism and how it can enslave our hearts and minds. Believing God’s principles and giving brings much more joy than keeping it for ourselves.

The Bible transforms our hopes and dreams and lives. Through living God’s prinicles He teaches us that our futures are secure in him regardless of our environment or the passing of time.

Our Faith is in Christ and in Him our hearts become pure, our conscience clear, and our faith firmly grounded and ever sure!

Encourage Others and Yourself

“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.” (Psalm 43:6 The Message)

Sometimes we need to encourage ourselves in the Lord, sometimes others need encouraging. Sometimes the ‘reason for the season’ is lost amongst the planning, the shopping, and the ‘to-do’ list that is ever present and ever growing. The pressures and stress of this Christmas season can leave many feeling blue and over-whelmed.

Often Christmas preparation is left to the ladies in our midst and too often it is overwhelming. Their inner-list of what needs to be accomplished is long and foreboding. The subtle influence of marketers preaches that only this gift will suffice or this decoration or this spread of foods and treats.

Sometimes a step back is a step forward. Sometimes simplicity is best and beautiful and needful. Having all the trimmings is a blessing and wonderful but at what cost?

In this season of giving may we not forget to give to ourselves. For how can we serve others when we are overly taxed, tired, and weary?

In this season of celebration may our hearts remember to celebrate and look to God for comfort, peace, and calmness. May we ask for help when help is needed. May we endeavor to be thankful for what we have and give a helping hand to those preparing so that they may be encouraged, filled with joy, and not so over-burdened.

This Christmas season will come and pass because it is temporal. But our God, our relationship with him is eternal. Soon the Christmas lights and trees will come down but the glory of Christ will never fade, will never be boxed away for another season.

Having a heart that loves, that cares, that shares, and that gives is what Christmas is about—not the doing. Sharing our joy of Christ and celebrating His life is what is important. Laughing and smiling with family brings more to the table than innumerable treats could ever do.

Give God the glory, whistle him a song, and make your heart glad at His goodness, mercy, and season!

Walking in Christ's Glory

“The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” Isaiah 60:19

We were created for the glory of God. It is His glory that gives our souls life and salvation. When, in His glory we live and walk and have our daily conversation then we reflect God’s glory.

Of our own and on our own we possess no glory for we are frail, we are broken, and we are sinful. On our own we live in darkness. We grope in a darkness of our own choosing, because of sin that blinds our hearts and minds (Isaiah 59:10).

Yet, God is faithful. God knows our sin and God willingly forgives our sin when we ask him to. God loves sinners. God loves you.

God through Jesus Christ has called us to glory from darkness, from sin (1 Peter 5:10). God forgives and cleanses us to walk in His glory… not our own. For His desire is that we grow up in Him and through Him live clean and holy lives. This is how we demonstrate to God our love for him, that we live for Him; and in our living we will suffer. We suffer the loss of selfishness, pride, and anger. We decide that having our way is not best. We sacrifice our pride and humble ourselves and ask others to forgive us. We crucify anger through admitting and repenting of it.

The light of our lives is Jesus Christ. He’s called us to live as he lived. He’s called us from our natural way of living and thinking to his way. When we know and do his ways we walk in glory, a glory that is eternal, a glory that is Christ’s alone.

‘Father, to you be the glory, honor, and praise! It is your goodness that leads my heart to repentance. It is your glory that humbles my heart this morning. Father, may you be glorified in how I live.’