Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” – 2 Corinthians 3:16

For those who don’t yet trust in Christ, there is a “veil” preventing them from fully appreciating the beauty and glory of Scripture. People can know an enormous amount about the Bible, but to see its true glory, its elegance, and the logic and beauty of the salvation it describes in Jesus Christ is a spiritual activity. One must have trusted in Christ and received God’s Spirit to clearly see all that God’s Word has to offer.

If you’ve ever had the experience (either looking back at your own past or talking with someone else) where you or they totally didn’t understand a Bible passage that you (now) clearly understand, that’s the veil! The veil shields those who are still rebellious against God from the full glory of His gracious gift of revelation. However, once a person believes in Jesus, he or she has the Holy Spirit, the most important equipping needed to read the Bible effectively.

If you’re a believer, the veil has been removed! Are you living like that? Are you digging into the glorious truths of Scripture for yourself? Are you reading or listening to a good portion of God’s Word each day? Meditating on what it means and how it applies in your life? Searching for answers to your questions? Gathering with other believers to grow in your understanding? If you aren’t, you’re missing out on God’s love letter to you. You’re missing out on the main way God speaks to His people. And you’re missing out on a critical, God-given privilege and instrument of your own personal growth in Christ. Read God’s Word and #FollowJesus!

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” – 2 Corinthians 2:15

What do you smell like today? Do you smell like Jesus or do you smell like everyone else? Obviously, this isn’t about your actual, physical smell… Paul is saying that those who are fully, faithfully following Jesus to the best of their Spirit-filled ability act, speak, and represent Jesus in the world. When people see them, they see Jesus. When they hear them, they hear Jesus. When they’re cared for by them, they’re cared for by Jesus. Genuine followers of Jesus are the sweet presence of Christ in a sour world. That’s what it means to be the aroma of Christ among the people of the world.

So, is that what you smell like today? Have you “put on the Lord Jesus” and submitted your life and this day to His Lordship? Have you died to yourself and committed to live for Jesus Christ? Will you carry the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control of Jesus into the world, no matter what comes your way? What can you do to be more like Jesus and less like your natural self as you go about your business today?

Paul goes on to say that not everyone will enjoy your smell if you truly smell like Jesus. For those on the path of sin and rejection of God, the aroma of Christ is a reminder of their final destination. It won’t be enjoyed. That doesn’t make it any less important! Don’t be afraid of how people will react to you, just focus on pleasing God as Christ’s presence wherever you go. Smell like Jesus as you #FollowJesus!

“And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.” – 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

With the Lord, forgiveness, grace, and mercy are only ever a sincere prayer away! King Manasseh was a really bad guy. His father had been one of the best and most godly kings of Judah. Unfortunately, as children sometimes do, Manasseh went in completely the opposite direction. A devoted pagan, Manasseh led God’s people away from their Lord and into the arms of false gods. Manasseh built shrines to false gods, desecrated God’s Temple, and sacrificed His own children to demons.

Then God took everything away from Manasseh… In a moment, he lost his wealth, his power, his country, and his freedom. Eventually, in the depths of despair, Manasseh humbled himself before God. Guess what? God was right there to forgive him! God didn’t hesitate. God didn’t make Manasseh do great works of penance to make up for his evil. God didn’t require Manasseh to prove himself in the eyes of the world. God knew that Manasseh’s prayer was genuine and He poured out His grace and mercy.

That’s what God loves to do! Always! You don’t have to be a fallen king to received God’s mercy and grace. He has declared for thousands of years that His essential nature is to be gracious and merciful, patient, loving, and faithful. God is always ready to pour out grace and mercy on those who have avoided Him, run from Him, or opposed Him. All anyone needs to receive it is a sincere heart crying out in faith for mercy in the name of Jesus. The Lord is God and He loves to reveal Himself in love, grace, and mercy. All we need to do is let go of our pride and humble ourselves before our Creator, confessing our sins and asking forgiveness for our rebellion. God is always faithful and quick to forgive. #FollowJesus

“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

God always gives you the power and strength to do what He’s called you to do in Jesus Christ. Always. No matter how impossible it might seem, God never asks His people to do anything without also giving them the spiritual power to do it. That power comes through His Holy Spirit. The moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God’s Spirit seals you (marking you as permanently belonging to God). His Spirit also indwells you, meaning He lives in your heart. And He anoints you, declaring you clean from your sins, holy to Him, and commissioned to serve Him.

The mistake we tend to make is to then try to follow Jesus and obey God using our own strength. We try to reform ourselves with good intentions and self-discipline. We jump into serving God using our own energy and enthusiasm. Sooner or later, those things aren’t enough. If we’re trying to serve God in our strength, we eventually become exhausted, frustrated, burned out, and broken. When that happens, we question ourselves, question God, and doubt His will and goodness. Does this sound familiar??? It isn’t God’s fault – it’s ours! We ignored the resources He already gave us in the Holy Spirit.

Learn to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. That requires a very different way of doing life. A way of submission to God’s will and ways. A life committed to rejecting and fleeing sin while quickly repenting whenever you do stumble and fall into sin. A life of prayer and patient waiting on God. A life of listening for the Spirit’s direction and then obeying without hesitation when the Spirit gives that direction. When you do the work of God in the Spirit of God, there’s unimaginable power available to you. Yes, you! And peace. And joy.

The same Spirit Who empowered and sustained the Apostles lives in you. Are you living in His power as you #FollowJesus?

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

We don’t always see the fruit of what we do for the Lord. We don’t always know what our efforts and gifts accomplish for God’s Kingdom. We often have no idea what impact our sharing of the gospel has. Sometimes we question whether the time we spend teaching or investing in others was wasted. Never doubt the value of what you did! In the Lord, your labor is never wasted!

God uses all of your good works on His behalf for His glory. When we serve the Lord, build the church, share the gospel, or teach the young we’re dealing with eternal things. Someone you impact today can, in turn, impact countless future generations. The disciple you make may go onto make thousands of disciples who make disciples. Seeds you plant today may not bear fruit for years but when they do, it’s eternal fruit! You can’t begin to imagine everyone that your service to the Lord impacts down through future generations, but it’s fun to think about!

Even the things you do that appear to have been wasted or misguided will be used by God. He will often use those “failures” to change, refine, and mature you, teaching you deep lessons in faith, obedience, and perseverance. Everything you’ve ever done for the Lord is preparation for what He has prepared for you to do now and in the future. Trust this truth! Don’t grow weary of doing good for the Lord! Stay energized, steadfast, and rock-solid in pouring out your time, talent, and treasure as you #FollowJesus!