Time Keeps Ticking

 Thought for the Day

“Are you still diligently living for God and serving Him, even in these last days? Now is not the time to ease up, but to charge forward and continue living for the Lord.” ~ Paul Chappell 

Verse for Today:  Romans 12:10-11(KJV) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, and serve the Lord.

I was contemplating old age recently, and came to the conclusion that it is a matter of personal choice to grow "old."  Of course, time keeps ticking, and we don't feel as good as we used to, we don't look as good as we used to, and we don't have as much energy.  What if Moses had given up, and found a rocking chair to while away the hours?  Instead, at the age of eighty, he brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and for forty years led them through the wilderness.  Moses lived one hundred twenty years and served God relentlessly up to the very end.  He trusted God to give him the health and zeal that was needed to accomplish the task that God required of him.  That same trust and zeal is available to all of us if we have faith and continue living actively for Christ.  Isaiah 40:31 tells us that we will run and not grow weary; we will walk and not be faint.  It is essential to understand that no matter what age we are we never lose our need to be still, listen and search our hearts and minds to determine how we can best serve the Lord.

 Prayer:  Father Abba, give us spirit and zeal to carry out the plans you have for us, so that we can serve You and one another.  My prayers are offered in Jesus' holy name, amen.

A Peculiar People

A Peculiar People

Today's Scripture:  1 Peter 2

Today's Bible Verse:  1 Peter 2:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;

What does the phrase, a peculiar people mean?  Does it mean Christians are strange or weird?  I heard someone ask this question, and I decided to do some research on the matter.  This is a simplified explanation of what I found:

If you look up the word peculiar in the dictionary, these are some of the meanings:  Strange, odd, queer, uncommon, unusual distinctive in nature or character from others, but an older meaning of the word is belonging exclusively to some person, group, or thing.  

The passage, in the bible, using the word peculiar can be found in the King James Version, New American Standard, and New International translations.  Peculiar was commonly used, long ago, to describe people belonging to something or someone, such as subjects to a King.  In other translations of the Bible, it is stated as a people belonging to God.  The older meaning of the word is still in the dictionary, but is rarely, if ever, used in that manner.  

We are a people possessed by God, and as such, we are expected to grow and mature in our faith.  It is our responsibility to tell others about Jesus, and guide them toward the faith.  We no longer belong to anyone or anything but God.   Jew or Gentile, Christians are chosen, called and faithful servants of God.  

After my research on this phrase, I came to this conclusion, if belonging to God makes me peculiar, with any definition, then I am delighted to be "peculiar."

Today’s Scripture:  1 John 2:1-6

Today’s Verse:  But who so keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  1 John 2: 5 (KJV)

“Shine all over the world, I'm gonna let it shine. Shine all over the world, I'm gonna let it shine.  Shine all over the world, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.”   ― Harry Dixon Loes

The Brightest Jewels

One of the sweetest things in the world is being around fellow Christians. Whether it is in church services or at a social gathering, it is always a treat. One of the small church groups that I belong to has the most delightful leader. When she walks into the room, her enthusiasm and zeal for Jesus Christ are contagious.  Her inner glow reflects in her smile and reaches out to everyone.  She leads the group with compassion, understanding, and wisdom. She is always well prepared, and sometimes I hate for the meeting to end. There is no doubt in my mind that she is full of the Holy Spirit. Her light shines so brightly that I leave feeling like a better person.

My friend is the perfect example of Christ living within. We are instructed in 1 John 2:6. Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus. Obeying His commands, showing love and understanding, and helping the needy is to walk as Jesus did. When we have enthusiasm for the word and shine the Light out into the world, we are truly in Him and He in us.

Published in TheQuite Hour 2015