Author: Servant of the Lord

We’re Often More Ready To “Be Blessed” Than “To Pay The Price”

Accepting authority can be difficult. There’s something in us that doesn’t like it because it means that we’re not in charge.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given by God to Jesus and that’s where we struggle. It’s easy to accept miracles and blessings but much harder to accept His authority in our lives. Why? Because it costs us.

Truth be told, we’re often more ready to “be blessed” than “to pay the price.”

Jesus confronted a large crowd following him one day with the same thing. Many left him. He turned to his disciples and asked them if they too wanted to go.

A man in silhouette with his arms spread cheering the good news of the gospel

The gospel is good news but it’s piercing – living and active – discerning the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

John 6:67-68

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

What do you want?

  • Mark Saunders

Matthew 20:17-19 (NKJV)

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

My Refuge and My Fortress

Psalm 91 English Standard Version (ESV)

My Refuge and My Fortress

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
    the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Let Him Shape Us Into His Image

A mirror reflects. It has no image of its own. But it’s reflection is not necessarily true – it can be distorted.

boy running in body of water during sunset

Our Christian lives are like mirrors. We’re called to reflect the God’s heart to those around us. How?

Not necessarily by what we say but by the attitude of heart by which we live.

The Apostle Paul spoke about Christ being formed in us. That’s not from bible studies or religiously going to church. The bible as we know it didn’t exist back then. It’s a “molding and forming” that only the Lord can bring from our lives. Like the potter fashions the clay. It’s why we need faith – to let Him shape us into his image.

It all depends on what we want to reflect. Ourselves, someone or something else, or the heart of God?

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  • Mark Saunders

Fear God, Wait for the Lord

Coronavirus fear is having more impact than the virus itself.
The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.

And the Bible says in Isaiah chapter 8:11-13, “make sure you do not fear what they fear.”

God is taking you through something painful to qualify you for something incredible.

Somebody needs to know that the pit and the prison prepared Joseph for the palace.
This is your season of preparation… God is preparing you for what He promised you.
Don’t resist your preparation… seek understanding for your growing, trust God’s handiwork — this is a setup for your come up.

He will see us through

Isaiah 8:11-13 (ESV)

Fear God, Wait for the Lord

11 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.