What Exactly Has God Prepared for Us?
Good Morning Friends,
Today on the eve of a blood red moon Pope Francis is in the City of Brotherly Love and I imagine the topic of the Day will be about Amor…love…passion and compassion. People have been preparing to welcome Pope Francis to the city of Philadelphia as they would welcome Christ. One of the youth from Immokalee, Elizabeth Martinez has been invited to the experience that will likely engage a million people on more along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. I received a text from her last night as she was preparing for the short journey from Arcadia University. And it got me to thinking about all the twists and turns of our spiritual journeys. And that sometimes we look out over majestic vistas and at other times we can barely see the ground in front of us. In these moments we have to live and love into the answers with faith. In hope we peak around the next corner…not knowing precisely where God is guiding. Wondering, What Exactly Has God Prepared for Us?
Scripture: But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NRSV)
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
Lamentations 3:21-25 (NRSV)
And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed.
Acts 20:32-36 (NRSV)
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:1-12 (NRSV)
Message: God’s faithfulness to us means everything. I do not know all He has prepared for us but so far it has been an amazing ride and I trust your experience is not all that different. He has been faithful to us in so many ways even when we do not see it. And when we stand on the precipice headed for trouble…He is there turning our focus to the Cross where God’s faithfulness was fully demonstrated. So embrace the love, grace, mercy and power of God. We can receive His favor. The Holy Spirit is in us preparing the blessing. All we have to do is be sensitive and receptive to the Lord showing us love. He has already prepared great things for us and the more we love the more love we receive. God has prepared our deliverance, our healing; our work and future. And yes it is about love. So don’t worry…God already made plans for everything and it is going to be wonderful. You know that wonderful things happen when feelings develop into actions of compassion. You know wonderful things happen when we cultivate a good heart by showing our care for others. No one did this more than Jesus. He was always caring for others and when we practice this precept of giving He tells us that we will be blessed in surprising ways. Here we overcome the challenge of generosity and at some fundamental level experience God. Today’s scripture teaches us that like work has its intrinsic value, giving too has a value of developing our spiritual nature. And that is the journey of love. Friend’s, learning to love is the most important part of our Christian’s walk. The challenge, once we have confessed our belief in Jesus, is acting in love…humbly and without arrogance and moreover acting in a marriage of our heart, mind and soul….combining in love, the love of others with our passion and compassion.
Pray that we allow God’s Spirit to show His power…guide our feet…that His mysterious power and hidden wisdom would bring us the glory of Christ. Pray that God be glorified in our lives as we seek to mirror Jesus’ compassion. Pray we learn that through acts of compassion we will grow spiritually in the presence of Jesus… Pray that we be consumed by His compassion for us. Pray that we realize that the beauty of becoming a Christian is that we get a new life…a life that is freed of the filth and shame and guilt of the past…a life filled with God’s love and acceptance. Pray that we realize that there is nothing like it in the world… there is nothing in this world that even compares. Pray that by this time next year we will be more compassionate, kinder, more humble, gentler, and more patient. Pray we grow in love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 