Ex.11,12:21; Luke 14; Job 29; I Cor. 15

I see death in every chapter. Death in Exodus to those without the mark of blood upon their doorway. Death to self in Luke for those who would be a disciple of Christ. Death in Job of everything he knew, his words a reminiscent and sorrowful, “I thought, surely …” And death itself in 1 Corinthians 15.

But there is also life: life for God’s chosen; life at the feast for the poor, crippled, blind and lame; new life beyond what we know now; and resurrection through Christ.

⁴² It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. ⁴³ Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. ⁴⁴ They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NLT.

I think hard on the cost of discipleship, of the things I hold onto, even to the excuses I might give to decline God’s call: am I so busy that I do not attend the banquet he has prepared? This feast woven through chapters: of passover, the parable of the banquet–do I hold onto the comfortable and the dear like Job (even to things past?), or do I reach out and forward to earth and soil–a yes to transformation?

God speaks into my life and says, “Go!” and what is my reply? Am I making excuses? Am I waiting for someone else to do it? Has the salt lost its flavor? Lord, I want to make the days count–to be marked by you and your grace. Help me to work enthusiastically for you.

Paul says: But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT.

Lord, I don’t want my life to be marked by complacency. I don’t want to look back and see your invitation buried underneath a list of excuse. Help me to align my thoughts and my days to your will. (I know you will! I know you are!)

⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT.

Courtney (66books365)

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Genesis 38; Mark 8; Job 4; Romans 8

So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty. Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free from the law that brings sin and death. The law was without power, because the law was made weak by our sinful selves. But God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son to earth with the same human life that others use for sin. By sending his Son to be an offering for sin, God used a human life to destroy sin. He did this so that we could be the kind of people the law correctly wants us to be. Now we do not live following our sinful selves, but we live following the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 (NCV)

One thing that has made an impression on me during this football season is witnessing bits and pieces of Ray Lewis’ faith. Whether you are a Raven’s fan or not, whether you are happy Ray is retiring or sad to see him go, he is a living example of God’s grace for all.

The success of the Ravens this season caused a bit of an uproar in my family’s house. Not because we are a family divided, but because of a hatred of the Baltimore team that is circulating within the social media and among fans of different teams.

Over the past few weeks, since the Ravens played through the post-season, since they won the Super Bowl, and especially since Ray Lewis announced his retirement, I have heard over and over the judgments of others. I am not talking about fans opinions about how games are played and won, but assessments of character and moral conduct based not in the present, but in the past.

We have all been in positions in our lives where we have fallen short of the glory of God. We have all sinned. We have all walk a less than perfect walk. And, we have all been offered a gift, called grace, in the form of a loving Savior who came to earth, who died for our sins, and who lives again forevermore.

Sometimes our circumstances put us in positions where we have to make choices: do we turn away from God or turn toward Him? Do we take things into our own hands or seek the mercy of a loving Father?

When we turn toward God and run into our Father’s arms, we choose a new life, to be reborn. We choose to live in freedom. We choose to live in the spirit and let Holy Spirit live in us. We choose a gift that is not deserved, but is freely given.

The moment we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord our world changes and perspectives and paradigms shift. What we were accused of is absolved. The punishment sought out by others is paid by Christ on the cross. The enemy is defeated in our life and we are triumphant because of everlasting love.

But in all these things we are completely victorious through God who showed his love for us. Yes, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (NCV)

I am so grateful that God has given me the opportunity to be free: from sin and from religious legalism. I am grateful that He lifted me out of my depravity. I am grateful that He redeemed me and called me His. I am grateful that God is for me, so that nothing can defeat me (Romans 8:31). I am grateful for the joy of my salvation. I am grateful that I will be judged in mercy.

 

Yesappa, I ask You to do the impossible in my life. Make me a woman after Your own heart. Help me run more and more after You. Fill me with Your love that I may be an outpouring of You into the world, another example of Your gift of grace. Be with me always and forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings – Julie, Vadipatti, India (written in the U.S.A.)

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Genesis 35-36, Mark 6, Job 2, Romans 6

SCRIPTURE

He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:10

When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. Job 2:12-13

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

OBSERVATION

When Job’s friends first saw him they didn’t recognize him. They observed a mourning ritual as if Job had died. They tore their robes, threw dust on their heads, and sat with his scarred body for days without speaking. As quiet as a dead man, Job did not sin in anything he said.

Job’s metamorphosis began with pain and death. A new life awaited Job at the end of his death defying trials. Through Christ Jesus we overcome sin and death. Jesus died for us that we may live a new life. God turns our mourning to gladness.

Provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3

APPLICATION

There’s no way around it. The only way to recover from loss is to go through the mourning. Joy is waiting on the other side. The only way to get from sin and death to new life is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for hope of new life in Jesus Christ. You are an awesome God.

yicareggie