Do we live our lives like they are at risk? Do we have any fear of the Lord at all?
Proverbs 20:2, 7-12, 14-15, 23, 27, 30 NLT
The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
False weights and unequal measures — the Lord detests double standards of every kind.
Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord .
The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!
Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.
The Lord detests double standards; He is not pleased by dishonest scales.
The Lord ’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
Do we not believe that the evidence will be weighed?
Do we selfishly think that it ends at our own salvation and that we have no purpose to fulfill, no great commission, no kingdom work assigned to us while travelling this earthly realm?
Who is pure of heart and free from sin requiring no more refinement by the disciplining hand of Almighty God?
Who has arrived at their destination of becoming the righteousness of God, a full reflection of their teacher, Jesus Christ?
Are our motives only to escape our deserved punishment of eternal unquenchable fire?
Are our motives to grasp at the great rewards of an inheritance that we say that we value, but prove otherwise with a close examination of the witness of our lives?
Yes, we are a rebellious generation.
Forgive us, Lord.
Discipline us with your mighty hand so that we will know that we are yours. Wipe out the evil from our lives. Build us up as your children. Do not let us fall into the hands of the unseen enemies of your will. Do not let us be overwhelmed by our deceitful hearts and sinful nature.
You are Almighty God. If you were not to rescue us, too call us out, too reef us, we are already dead. Raise us up to praise and worship you and to bring you glory and honor, Lord.
Teach us your virtues and write them upon our hearts and keep them in our remembrance, so that we can obey your statutes in grateful understanding that your way is best.
We may not understand everything, but Lord, please help us to trust and understand what we need for today’s journey.
Proverbs 20:24 NLT
The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
So the question is, “Have I been set free?”
John 8:34-36 NLT
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
Are you set free today, friend? Or are you still burdened by your sin?
Are your ears open to hear?
John 8:42-47 NLT
Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but He sent me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
What am I loving to do today?
What am I excited about doing today?
Is it honoring and glorifying the Lord?
Or does it prove whose soon I really am?
I hope your answer today beings us both humility in our own weakness and confidence in the strength of our Lord and Savior.
Through Christ all things are possible. But it takes surrender.
What area of our lives do we need to surrender today? What would not be honoring and glorifying God?
Make war. Claim it for surrender to Christ, and lift it to the Lord as a testimony.
Fear the Lord, Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth.
Know His Son, the way, the truth, and the life who has come to set you free.
Be free.
Not just free from punishment.
Be free from slavery.
Know His Love.
1 John 4:15-21 NLT
All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.
If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
Love God.
Love others.
Be free.
Harold J. Ballinger 