Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Psalm 57:1 NIV Continue reading “EVACUATE”
WRINKLES
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV
Wrinkles are not always cute. At least, that’s what the billboard advertises using a wrinkly puppy to suggest the cuteness side of wrinkles.
A wrinkle is defined as a slight line or fold in something, especially fabric or the skin of the face. Wrinkles suggest aging. Most of us will do anything to avoid letting the world see our wrinkles. Wonder creams, makeup, Botox treatments and even surgery are offered to help us appear younger. We iron our clothes or toss them in the dryer for one more round to take the wrinkles out. It seems that wrinkles are only acceptable on our pups.
Jesus takes away our wrinkles. He loved us so much that he died for us. Ephesians states that by his death, he has washed us and presents us without any stains, blemishes or wrinkles. We look radiant, holy and blameless because of our Savior. Jesus was the spotless lamb; the perfect sacrifice, acceptable to God and because of Him, we also are spotless as we stand before a holy God. The Message Bible puts Hebrews 10:14 this way, “It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.”
There are no cover ups. No expensive treatments are necessary. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and your wrinkles will be washed away. Your youth is renewed like the eagles (Psalm 103:5). You are born again into the family of God. You are spotless and wrinkle free because Christ loves you, gave himself to die in your place and washed you whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).
GUARD YOUR HEART
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV Continue reading “GUARD YOUR HEART”
INSURANCE
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 ESV Continue reading “INSURANCE”
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you and inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32 NIV Continue reading “LIGHTWEIGHTS”
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1 NIV Continue reading “TO INFINITY AND BEYOND”
STRAYS
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 NASB Continue reading “STRAYS”
THE BRIDGE
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV Continue reading “THE BRIDGE”
TUCKED IN
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8 NIV
WATCHING
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Matthew 24:42 NIV
Dogs have a talent for intense staring. Their attention span is phenomenal when food is involved. They can sit an unlimited amount of time totally focused on you and your food. There is no doggie boot camp training involved. Each dog seems to be born with this innate behavior.
If you do not regularly feed your dog from the table, they still play the waiting game. A crumb dropped from your fork is fair game and a reward for their attentive patience. At least, that is the scenario that plays out in our house. The big dogs can stare you down and make eye contact while the little ones jump on your legs hoping to get your attention.
As humans, we could use a little more focus. We are easily distracted and multi-tasking is considered an asset. Quantity can become more important that quality in this fast paced world. Family, careers, friends, hobbies and much more vie for our attention. It is hard for us to totally fix our attention on one thing and stay focused.
Jesus told us to watch for his coming. We are not to be distracted by all the popular beliefs that flood our airwaves and cause confusion. Many things are worthwhile but he is front and center. He told his disciples that he would return. The angels also told the disciples that Jesus would return just as he left in Acts 1. Paul writes of Jesus’ second coming in I Thessalonians. John writes in Revelation 1:7, “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”, and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.’
Matthew 24 is titled The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times. Jesus lists many signs and happenings for which we should be aware so we are not deceived. He tells us to watch. We need to focus and fix our eyes on him (Hebrews 12:2). Be attentive and like the dogs, watch and wait, without distractions.
We can become quite fearful of the end times. What if we are deceived? Will we be ready? The disciples fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus needed them the most. He only requested them to watch and pray and they failed the assignment. Will we do the same?
Instead of being fearful, let’s focus on Jesus. Let us know him and his word intimately. Let us study to find ourselves approved (II Timothy 2:15). When we know him as our personal friend and redeemer, we will not be fooled by those masquerading as angels of light (II Corinthians 11:14). We will be found intently watching and waiting for his return. Like the dogs, nothing will distract us from our mission. Nothing will be more appealing than spending time with Jesus.
Many use the example of FBI agents being able to recognize counterfeit money. They don’t worry overmuch about the fake but spend hours of study on the real thing. They are so familiar with the legitimate item that they realize immediately when fake money is presented.
Jesus is the real thing. He is totally legit and you can’t go wrong by spending hours in his presence. You won’t be fooled by the fake when you know Jesus as your Redeemer and Lord.
Just Another Dog Devotion 