Increase our Faith

Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the Lord, "increase our faith!"

The ones closest to Jesus, the ones he invested in the most, realized their need for a growing faith. The teachings of Jesus require increasing amounts of faith. Not because his teachings are outlandish and fictional but because his teaching are counter-intuitive to a me first world.

Me first thinkers never need to apologize or forgive. Me first always places the individuals needs in front of the needs and at the expense of all others. The problem with me first? Only one can be first; and yet so many strive to be first.

The disciples, as they learned and grew in understanding, came to the realization that Jesus and his teachings were radical. Forgiveness was a simple teaching flying in the face of me first living.

The more we know of Jesus and his teachings, the more faith we need. Faith not in ourselves but faith founded in him and his teachings.

Was Is Will Be

Rev 11:17
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign."

We worship god the almighty, who was and will always be. Before time and after forever he will be.

He is and has and will reign and rule over all for all time. There is no beginning and no end of Him and His greatness, love and power.

May the day come soon when we begin to understand.

Exalted

Ps 70:4
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say "Let God Be exalted."

Art imitates life. Like the the movies life is filled with storms, sadness, and death. Most often we cannot begin to comprehend the reasons behind each trial and tragedy. Our lack of comprehending does nothing to change the the inevitable.

In those times of testing there is a light, a light that calls and beckons to all. A light that turns night to day. A light that thaws the chill of winter. A light that loves; a light that is to be exalted always and forever.

The light that shines in blessings and abundance is the same light shining in fear and loneliness. This light never leaves us all alone. May God be exalted!

Exalt Him when our words fail us, exalt Him when the strength to do so has left. Above all exalt Him for who he is. May we rejoice and be glad in God.

Praise Worthy

Rev 4:10-11
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits upon the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Falling in worship, awe, and praise, the elders who surround the throne exalt God. They lay their crowns before the throne, they submit themselves to the author of life. They humble themselves, they remove their crowns, pride, achievements, possessions, and accomplishments.

They recognize the will of Jesus-creator of all things, seen and unseen. May I also submit and humble myself to the same king in the same way.

Is this me?

Rev 3:1 talks about the church in Sardis. The Holy Spirit says (my para-phrase) "I know you and what you do. You have this reputation of being productive but your not."

The letter is addressing the church as a whole, but we as individuals are the church, we are the body and we make up the church. We can say all the right things and do all the right things and develop the reputation of being a productive Christ follower. But are saying and doing the right things enough?

1. Weekend worship
2. Daily personal study
3. Small group membership
4. Serving others

These are some of the things that are the "right" things. Sometimes if we are not careful it can also be merely going through the motions.

It's never about me. It's about loving God and others, and teaching them to do the same.

Inspired

The Old Testament and the New Testament are the inspired word of God. If I believe nothing else, I believe this. God has spoken to us in the past through scripture, He continues in the present to speak through scripture and He will in the future

God has always been speaking to us. He uses creation to reach us. David writes in Psalm 19 of the heavens declaring the glory of God. The skies are evidence of His handiwork. Nature point to the existence of God. Scripture teaches us of salvation.

All scripture is useful; useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. Scripture equips us for good works. As Adam was placed in the garden to work, we are given scripture to prepare us for work. The work we are prepared for is found in the will of God, found in the word of God.

We read scripture with an end in mind, that God will speak to us. He does, we need to bring the good news of salvation to the world.

The Greatest

Romans 13:9-10
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is fulfillment of the law."

Jesus himself declared loving God was the greatest commandment. He went on to say the second greatest command is to love your neighbor as yourself.

Paul taps into this theme and concludes that love is fulfillment of the law. Love is fulfillment. We are therefore commanded and instructed to love. The law and its fulfillment are found in love.

What does love look like? Love has an endless array of faces.
Love is expressed, love is implied.
Love is given, love is received.
Love is silent, love is boisterous.
Love is weak, love is strong.
Love is the ageless mighty oak, love is the prairie grass yielding to gale force winds.
Love gives, love shares.
Love laughs, love cries.
Love holds on, love lets go.
Love knows when, love knows how.
Love does. Love is patient, love is kind.
Love is yielding.
Love is meeting our needs by meeting the needs of others.
Love is the greatest command, love is the fulfillment of the law.
Love is God's will.