Righteous Sinners & Morning Grace

As we have done in many years in the past, my wife and I recommitted to morning time in the Word, and journaling. What was pretty exciting (and a bit scary) was that we also decided to digitize our journal entries instead of writing them in a notebook like we had always done in previous years. The thing I didn’t like about the paper notebooks is (1) my handwriting is horrible, (2) it is slow because I can type faster than I can write, and (3) those journal entries live on paper and in a notebook on a shelf instead of in a format that I could readily share. There certainly were not many folks coming to my house and lining up to read through my journal. For whatever reason, it was on my heart to start sharing my daily journal entries online so there would at least be a chance that they might help someone else someday.

Image courtesy of: notashamed

Scripture:
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Luke 18:17

Observation/Application: 
There was much hesitation to be honest. Maybe you can relate. For a long time I felt like, “who am I to be out there publishing a blog about the Word of God? I’m not ordained? I’m not qualified.” Yeah those were my internal battles. Fortunately I made it through those hesitations because otherwise this blog would not exist. They were silly thoughts really because I’m not journaling to argue or prove anything. I’m not claiming that I know the most about the Word of God. I’m just a man out there doing my best to share the love of God and the truth about His Word with others.

I’m also doing this because God called me to, and because the Word supports it. Some scriptures that tell us the value to starting off the day in God’s Word and prayer include:

• “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” – (Psalm 143:8 8)
• “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – (Lamentations 3:22-23)
• “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – (Psalm 30:5 )
• “proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night” – (Psalm 92:2 2)
• “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (it’s what Jesus did! – Mark 1:35)
• “Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah.” – (1 Sam 1:19)
• “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” – (Psalm 5:3)
• “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – (It says to seek FIRST, not second – Matthew 6:33)
• “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” – (2 Timothy 2:15 15)
• “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – (Mat 6:6)

Psalm 91:1 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” – I’m convicted in this way because I have enough evidence in the Word that tells me this is what I am supposed to be doing right now. God will tell me when it is time to stop again, and gets me doing something else that needs to doing, working to understand, or obtaining.

So this blog is my 365+ day mission. And I’m not going to lie, doing this feels good. And the more that I obey God it becomes easier to feel justified and righteous. I follow the commandments, return a tenth to the Lord, spend daily time in the Word and prayer, volunteer at the church on the worship team, lead a Bible study at work, and have a heart for God and work to write songs for God that are worthy in His sight. I truly do my best to walk in His path. But it is too easy to start to feel justified and sense of pride, even is just a little bit. It’s a natural part of succeeding in something.

But Luke 18:9-14, that reminds us to humble ourselves, always. Our actions do not determine our fate, it is our faith and our hearts that do. In Luke 18:9-14 it is the sinner who goes to heaven and the Pharisee who isn’t going to make the cut. The tax collector stood at a distance, and wouldn’t even look up to heaven, and he says, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus says that THIS man went home justified before God that day.

God puts us in different places at different times in our lives, for different reasons. We are all children of God, we are all part of His great plan, in His great creation, and we are all sinners who need Him. “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 18:14. Let us remember to receive the kingdom of God like a child. Let us always remain humble, and not doubt, to have faith, and believe. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” – (Luke 18:8). Help us live our faith Lord. And help our unbelief. – (Mark 9:24).

Prayer:
Thank you Lord. Your Word is so powerful. Your wisdom and love overwhelming. Thank you for revealing to us what we needed to hear today. Fill us with your Holy Presence Lord. Help our unbelief, and to walk in Your Ways. We receive your eternal Promise Lord, through the mighty name of Jesus Christ, your One and only Son. Amen.

Photo By notashamed

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