2Day’s Word – A Life That’s Forever

John 3:16

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) describes God’s awesome and unfathomable love for us. A giving kind of love without condition and without expectation. The purest form gifted to you and me even though we come before Him often times unlovable with warts, blemishes, stains and everything in between. In fact John describes His love as being so deep for us that he freely and willing sacrificed the life of his own son to pay for our sin. In reflection, not only did he pay the highest price imaginable to redeem us, what he paid was in essence priceless. For how can one put a price tag on human life?

Then after being reassured, comforted and amazed still by His amazing love, Verse 16, says if we put complete trust & faith in His ability and willingness to save us, we will receive life throughout eternity. A life that is forever without evil, darkness, enemy, sorrow, sickness, pain, sin or death. Wow!

Hence, my take away today, quite simply, is to be humbly filled with utmost gratitude and much thankfulness for God’s unconditional love, especially given to someone like me (that at times honestly can be quite unlovable). And moreover, to trust in Him fully by faith for His awesome promise and plan of life forever. A life unlike anything we’ve ever experience nor could ever humanly imagine!

How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin

2Day’s Word – Following For The Right Reason & Keeping His Promises

John 1:38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 2 Peter 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become  partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) comes from two books. First from the book of John. And second from 2 Peter. John 1:38 says John the Baptist sees Jesus walking by and declares Him to be the Lamb of God. Soon after John’s two disciples follow Jesus. What struck me as odd was Jesus asking “what do you want?” Odd more so because Jesus, the Lamb of God, already knew but asked anyway. Almost as if it was to test their heart, motive and intentions in following Him. A kind of disciple interview if you will. Maybe to ensure they were following for the right reason(s). In 2 Peter 1:4 Peter speaks to God’s promises which provides insight as to why John the Baptist’s disciples followed Jesus and why we likewise should follow Him as well. For as followers we are promised that we will share in God’s (or His divine) nature to keep us from sin and thus enable us to live for Him, His plan and His will. In other words because it is not in our core or human nature to be godly on our own, He provides the power to enable and to help us to lead a godly life pleasing to Him.

Hence, my take away today is to make sure motive, intention and heart properly align with His purpose not mine when following Him daily. And to be ever mindful, grateful and thanking in keeping God’s precious and magnificent promises deep within my heart. Knowing that by His promises we become partakers of the divine nature which will keep us from the decadence (corruption) caused by sinful desires.

2Day’s Word – Peace…High Maintenance But Worth It

1 Peter 3:11

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

Life Lesson

In today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) Peter talks about turning away from evil, doing good and searching and working to maintain peace.  What struck a chord within my heart is the portion of passage that addresses peace.

First, searching and working to maintain peace requires effort. Whether with self, family, friends, co-workers or brothers and sisters in-Christ, experiencing and enjoying peace can be challenging and often fleeting. After all conflict, disagreement, opinions, envy, coveting, pride and sin are just some of human nature that present constant and never-ending opposition for us in experiencing peace. Second, finding peace involves much more than a once kind of endeavor, requiring ongoing effort as we constantly interact and react with self and people throughout the day. Likewise, peace further requires ongoing maintenance, similar to a car. And if not maintained or maintained properly, peace will either break down or not be to its peak or full potential. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a Jiffy Lube or Chevron service station for peace? So after so many days or months go by, we could check in to refill our peace tank or replace old worn peace with new ones. Lastly, the bible references peace almost 250 times, which further affirms its importance. Jame 3:18 says “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness”

Hence, my take away today is to constantly strive for peace. Peace with self, family, friends and neighbors whomever and whenever they might come my way. And further, to realize experiencing peace can be fleeting. For it is elusive, dynamic and a moving target which requires ongoing effort, constant maintenance and help from our Lord. As 2 Thessalonians says “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way…”

2Day’s Word – This One’s For Me!

James 1:19-20

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

Life Lesson

In today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) James, Jesus’ brother, addresses in his letter to Christians about right and just behavior. In essence, how Christians should live. It is here wherein he talks about more listening, less talking and unrighteous or selfish anger. Then in James 4:11 he talks further of being critical of others saying, “Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.” In pondering over these passages two points spoke clearest and most painfully to me. Ouch! First, this is so much for me. Yes I admit, I usually don’t hear others very well. Many times I catch myself hearing me instead the person speaking. I also often find myself putting mouth in action before putting brain in gear. Said another way, putting my foot in mouth. And likewise, many a time I anger before getting all the facts or by jumping to “false” conclusions. Second, I catch myself way too often being shamefully critical and without merit. Sometimes I think my middle name should have been critical. As Jesus says in John 8:7 “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Hence my take away today is to check my heart as soon as I get out of bed and often throughout the day as necessary. Doing a heart check to make sure I am listening with interest and intent, putting brain in gear before mouth in action, not sweating the small stuff and striving for righteous anger only. Lastly, that I am reminding myself that I am far from perfect & way off from His mark and thus have very little reason to judge or justification to criticize.

2Day’s Word – Discipline A Kind of Pain That Is Good

Hebrews 12:11

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Life Lesson

In today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) the underlying message is one of love. In other word’s, God’s discipline motivated out of a deep love for us, intended to teach, train and correct. Moreover, today’s passage is also about how we respond to discipline. Do we ask the Lord what He is trying to teach us? Do we accept it submissively, willingly, gratefully and gracefully knowing it is for our good, not for our harm? Or, do we we react childishly and become resentful, maybe ignore it or get angry even?

Upon pondering over today’s word, what comes to mind again is my divorce. While in it, I believe what carried me through and allowed healing to take place was when I submissively allowed the Lord to show me areas unpleasing to Him. It was also when He began to scrub away those areas in my heart that needed changing. I won’t sit here telling you it didn’t hurt, because it did. However, it was after the tearing, then the scrubbing and keeping the good parts and discarding the junk that led me onto the road of recovery. Many years have gone by since that life changing experience. And in reflection, I believe still with all my heart, God disciplined and changed me for good (not harm) and thus I am forever grateful He did.

Hence, my take away today is to be quiet, still, listen and obey when being disciplined by the Lord. To trust in faith fully, knowing that it is intended for good not harm. Lastly, to be grateful and thankful knowing it is because of His deep love for me and the kind of pain that is good.

2Day’s Word – Faith…Don’t Leave Home Without It!

Hebrews 11:1

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) explains what faith is. Similarly, Merriam-Webster defines faith as, “firm belief in something for which there is no proof” and “complete trust”. Following today’s word in verses 4 through 10 we see extraordinary and wonderful examples of faith and why: we understand and believe how God created the universe, Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying, Noah built an ark or Abraham obeyed God and left home for another land that God would give him as his inheritance. Likewise, other passages in the bible give equally amazing examples of faith as well. For example, in Matthew 9:2, it was faith that allowed a paralytic’s sins to be forgiven. In Matthew 9.22, faith healed a women who had been bleeding for twelve years. And, in Matthew 9:29, faith restored sight to blind men.

After meditating over today’s passage and the many examples of faith, blog entry dated November 24, 2009 and entitled “The Equation” (refer to http://is.gd/5m0Fa ) spoke to my heart yet again. To reiterate: “Faith” + “God’s Power” = “Overcoming the Impossible and Improbable”. Matthews 19:26 reaffirms that by faith in trusting God ”…all things are possible.” Mark 10:27 likewise says “all things are possible with God.”

Hence, my take away today on faith is perfectly, conveniently and succinctly summarized in Matthew 17:20 which is: “…I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

2Day’s Word – Reverent Submission

Hebrews 5:7

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) talks about Jesus praying and pleading with God. What struck me most was God heard his praysers because of deep reverence. Merriam-Webster defines reverence as “profound adoring awed respect”.  With that definition embedded in my mind, I envision Jesus face to the ground in a very reverent and most submissive posture, pleading and wailing but yet willing to do and to honor the Father’s will. I also realize at some point we too will go through a trial or a storm in obeying Him or in doing His will. Maybe not to the extent of what Jesus experienced for us on the cross, but still, a trial or a storm that result in suffering or sacrifice.

Hence, my take away today is regardless of the severity of the suffering or the extent of the sacrifice, we can find assurance, comfort and encouragement knowing Jesus will hear and will be with us when facing it obediently according to His will and facing it with reverent submission.

2Day’s Word – You Can Run But You Can’t Hide

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) begins with a realization that God loves java just like me. Why you ask? Because the Bible says HE BREWS! Kidding aside, today’s passage speaks to God’s omnipresence or being present in all places at all times to all. What an awe-inspiring message and timely reminder to know we can and will never be alone or apart from His love. As Romans 8:38-39 succinctly says, “… I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And moreover, to find comfort in realizing that he knows us closely like no other and yet loves us unconditionally still. Matthews 10:30 says he knows us so well that “… even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Hence, my take away is to grateful of God’s awe-inspiring power, never ending love and always present nature. And to be thankful that regardless of where I am, what struggle in life I may be facing or how I might be feeling He is with me every step along to way.

2Day’s Word – Flee From Temptation

2 Timothy 2:22

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Life Lesson

In today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) Paul is giving Timothy final advice, coaching, direction and reassurance. It is here wherein he instructs Timothy on how to handle temptation, which will (not if) come his way. In pondering over today’s passage it made be realize once again of our Lord’s impeccable timing. While on the road early this morning and listening to Pastor Greg Laurie’s message on radio, Pastor Greg spoke also on this very topic…which he titled “How to Resist Temptation”. He, like Paul, talked about running or turning away from temptation. Such as heading for an exit door, turning off your computer, changing the channel on your television or removing yourself from a conversation to avoid being tempted. In addition to fleeing or turn away, Paul instructs Timothy to instead pursue many of the attributes, qualities or fruits Gods wants to work into us. Certain fruits of the Spirit which Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23 as “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Lastly, Paul’s advice on how to pursue righteous living is contained in Philippians 4:8 which is to “…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Hence my take away today to be mindful of Paul’s instruction to Timothy and to be ready to flee or to remove myself physically from temptation, when not if, it comes my way. And further to pursue righteous living, attributes, qualities and fruits that are pleasing to Him. And lastly to enjoy fellowshipping with those who pursue Him with pure motives and a clean heart.