“And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the Lord has brought all this disaster on them.’” – 1 Kings 9:8-9

It’s an incredible thing to be chosen and blessed by God. To be loved and favored with God’s blessing and presence is simply beyond description. That was true for Israel and it’s true for followers of Jesus who’ve been grafted into God’s family by grace. However, once that happens, that doesn’t mean you no longer need to care about obeying or respecting God. Quite the opposite!

God’s grace is an invitation into a deep, abiding relationship of obedience to His will and ways. If you’re blessed to be God’s child, then you need to understand that God isn’t blind or clueless. He knows your thoughts, words, and actions. All of them! He is calling you to live a holy life patterned after the life of His Son. There will be consequences for rebellion against His will.

The Bible is clear that God disciplines those He loves. His goal in that discipline (which isn’t punishment) is to bring His children back into alignment with His will. Your salvation is never a free pass to do whatever you feel like and then later say (without meaning it), ‘Sorry’. Your salvation is an invitation to deep, lasting love grounded in awe, respect, and obedience to the Lord Almighty Who loves you and adopted you as His child. #FollowJesus

“He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.”
– Psalm 147:3-4

Praise the Lord!!! God is so transcendently awesome in magnitude, power, and knowledge that He alone decides how many stars there are in the universe. And He names them individually. Praise His greatness and His power! Praise the infinite breadth of His knowledge and understanding! Every star that you can see and the countless number that you can’t see has been established, named, and known by God. And yet…

God is so close to, and caring for, us that He knows your heart and the heart of everyone made in His image. He knows our wounds, sorrows, and sufferings. And He loves and cares for us individually. He heals our wounded hearts with the balm of His love and gospel. He doesn’t just make our wounds go away. He binds them up individually in love and care, tending to them until they heal properly.

When we praise and worship our great God, we must try to remember both of these stunning realities about our God. He is almighty and supreme over all of creation. And He loves us with personal knowledge, love, and care. It’s simply too much for our minds to truly process. Praise the Lord!!! #FollowJesus

“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” – John 14:23

What a delightfully simple summary of the most wonderful relationship and reality in the universe!

1) Love Jesus. Simple enough to grasp. Fortunately, it’s easy to love Jesus because of His great love for us demonstrated by His sacrificial death and resurrection. However, true love for Jesus certainly also requires believing Jesus to be truthful that He is the eternal Son of God and God Himself come in the flesh. If you believe less about Jesus, it would be difficult to argue that you love Him since you consider Him a liar, a lunatic, a weakling unable to preserve His own words down through history.

2) Obey Jesus. Jesus is emphatic that if you love Him, you will do your Spirit-filled best to obey His commands. Including the commands that are difficult, uncomfortable, or potentially dangerous.

3) Be Loved by the Father. This follows from those first two things. Very simple, very beautiful!

4) The Triune God will live in you. Every true believer in Jesus is sealed by the Holy Spirit and the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit – lives in them. Incredible, but also incredibly true!

Love and obey Lord Jesus. Delight in His love and presence in your life. Be blessed today and every day! #FollowJesus

“But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?” – 2 Chronicles 2:6

Always remember this bit of wisdom from Solomon. The most elaborate temple, the most spectacular cathedral, and the most beautiful church can never compare to the magnificence of God. They can do nothing but give a hint of the majesty, grandeur, and greatness of our Father in Heaven!

The beautiful spaces and places we make for worship here on earth can never contain the Lord or His glory. They’re all just a place for us to make our offerings. Offerings of our worship. Offerings of our lives as living sacrifices with wholehearted love for the Lord our God and His Son Jesus.

Though we naturally become attached to our earthly places of worship and want the best for them, our energy and attention must always remain focused on the God and His Son they were built to point us toward. Solomon got it right. Let us never forget this bit of wisdom. #FollowJesus

“He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.”
-Proverbs 22:11,29

Would you like to be real influencer? Not an online performer with a large audience, but someone who is genuinely able to influence others, particularly those in high standing? It isn’t wrong to desire that, as long as you follow the biblical pattern to become a truly influential person.

What is that pattern?

1) Excellence of character. Seek to live a life above the reproach of others, even if they don’t like you. Imitate Jesus in the way you live your life and pursue personal holiness.

2) Excellence of speech. Always speak in a way that builds up, giving grace to those who hear you speak. Don’t gossip, slander, or undermine. Speak life into others and use your speech to encourage them to aim higher than themselves.

3) Excellence in your work. Whatever your skills, job responsibilities, or position description, do things well. Work with total integrity and the best skill you can bring to bear in every situation. You will be noticed!

Life isn’t perfectly just. Unfortunately things happen. However, if you follow the Bible’s wisdom on these matters, you’ll likely be surprised at how much influence you’ll have. Influence that can be used for God’s purpose and glory. #FollowJesus