meditations for an everyday relationship with Jesus

Rejoice … always!

Philippians 4:4-6 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Why do we rejoice? It is not for nothing … it is because we are confident that the Lord is near.

He is near in the Holy Spirit but He is also near in His return. Prepare accordingly.

A clear conscience?

1Peter 3:16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.

If we should suffer for righteousness, for committing to what is good, we should take this persecution in stride. Not that we like it, but accept it in the knowledge that our faith comes at a price as certainly as it did for our Rabbi, Jesus.

There will be those who will denounce us for our passion and unwillingness to compromise. But, take heart, Jesus has overcome all of that!

In the end, our lives, not our words, will speak with greater authority. Those who denounce us will be shamed and punished according to their blasphemous crimes.

Let God be God; lift the cross high and higher! Preach with gentleness in the spirit; do so with a strong hand.