Getting it straight in our heads

Thursday’s Reading: Isaiah 51 & Revelation 21

First, let me apologize for being absent this week; we’ve been going full speed with VBS.  When I heard one of our kids explain the gospel to another kid I realized again the value of teaching and investing in children.

• Isaiah 51:6, Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
• Revelation 21:3-7, And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

I must constantly remind myself of the power and blessing of the Gospel. I begin to fear man. I begin to wallow in my self-pity. I start to feel bound to the power of temptation and sin.  Then the Gospel breaks in.  God shows me His power and that I have every reason to fear Him.  The Gospel shows up and I have nothing to pity myself for.  Jesus rides the conqueror’s white horse and the power of sin and temptation are broken and destroyed. My dwelling is with God. All this stuff and all the “power” of the world are temporary and small. Because I am united to Christ by faith and sealed with the Holy Spirit I have been given what is eternal and I have been equiped with true power.  In Christ I have been given all that I need.  Stop fearing man.

Father, Your words are powerful and true.  Thank You that I have ears to hear and eyes to see. That is a gift of Your sovereign will.  There is nothing good in me except for Christ. Since I have Christ everything is good. What a wonderous gift You have given when You called me to be Your son.  Set my eyes on You and Your will.  Forgive me for fearing what will be eaten by worms. May I fear what is truly powerful and in control of all things. Give me a healthy fear of You.

I pray for our children at Vacation Bible School today. I pray we would see a multitude of them striken with godly grief that leads to repentance. I pray You would work powerfully to remove the blindness of sin and pride from even the youngest. I pray, Father, that You would give the gift of faith.  Raise up the repentant. Open hearts.  May today be the day of salvation for our children at Vacation Bible School.

For Jesus

Amen