Sober judgment

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.                                        Romans 12.5

The first aspect of this verse that comes clearly to me is that Paul is speaking forth in grace. What he says I can receive as encouragement, but many may see it as criticism or even condemnation. And so, it is important to see that Paul is acting in grace.

This grace does not originate in Paul. It is given to him by God. God’s grace signifies to me the sweetest love and concern.

Paul’s act of grace is to tell me, in effect, not to big note myself. I am to think of myself with “sober judgment”. This suggests a temperate, even humble approach. Yes, the humble approach sits well with me.

I have been given a measure of faith by God. This enables me to be and to do what He would have of me. All that I do, I do in His power. There is no praise or kudos to me. But I do experience a most wonderful fulfilment when I give myself into His hands.

Here, then, is my contribution. God can do whatever He desires. Strangely, yes most oddly, He determines to use me as a co-worker. But He leaves me free to choose to work with Him. All He requires of me is to say “Yes”. Everything else He will provide. How blessed I am to be taken by Him into such wonderful partnership. I cannot think highly of myself. I’m just so grateful that He deems to work in me, with me, and through me.

Dear Lord,

Thank You, Thank You, most precious One, for reaching out to me as You do. Thank You for inviting me to share the journey, and all it entails, with You. Thank You for loving me.   Amen.

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Living sacrifice

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.              Romans 12.1

Paul’s first mention in this sentence is of God’s mercy. This is the all-important factor in our relationship with Him. God is most merciful and it is His mercy that enables and facilitates my relationship with Him.

Paul encourages me to offer my body as a living sacrifice. I am to “live” in the state and condition of a sacrifice. What does this mean? As I ponder the term “living sacrifice”, that is, a sacrifice that is alive and living, another phrase comes to my mind – a witness to Jesus. I see these two expressions linked. Jesus lived always and only to do the will of the Father. He looked to the Father for direction. He lived in humble obedience. Surely this was living sacrifice.

Jesus calls me to follow Him. Let me then seek to live as He lived, calling on the Father to unfold His will in my life, to lead me in the plans and purposes He has for me. I also need to give myself to live out this life to the best of my human, and weak, ability. I won’t come anywhere near Jesus in the perfection of this living sacrifice yet, I believe, as I give myself to Him, He will be merciful and tolerant with me. May my spiritual act of worship unfold daily as I seek to live in Him and with Him. I give myself to pleasing God.

Lord, Holy God,

I come before You in humility. I give myself to Your way for me. Please show me the way and lead me in it. May I follow my Lord Jesus in the manner of a living sacrifice.

I yearn to worship You with every part of my being. Show me when I’m vulnerable to the ways of the enemy. Cover me, please, with Your mercy and grace. Let me know Your protection, in Jesus’ name I ask.           Amen.

Challenge!

Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.           Ezra 4.4

The Jews had commenced reconstruction of the temple. When the surrounding peoples (the enemies of Judah) first heard about this, they offered to help, claiming that they also sought the Lord God and wished to sacrifice to Him. Though these were the people of Samaria, they were likely migrants from Mesopotamia and Aram, who served their own gods, but also worshipped the Lord as the god of the land (of Samaria).

It is possible that Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the other leaders considered this an act of convenience and not of true belief and commitment. They rejected the offer of help. Whereupon the people set on them.

I am getting particular insight in to this cameo of scripture, which is this: If someone is not faithfully and truly dedicated to God, they are likely to become belligerent, angry and threatening if they are challenged in their belief. I believe there is only one God (albeit in Holy Trinity) who is a jealous God. He demands our obeisance. When we truly believe, we are not likely to react as “the enemies of Judah” did when challenged.

God gifts us with fruits of the Spirit which include long-suffering and, of course, love. If challenged, I am called to patiently endure, persevere – and love. I do not change my mind or back down because of challenge. Rather I look to God to strengthen me, which He surely will.

Lord God,

I pray that nothing or no one will discourage me in my pursuit of you. I commit to You and seek more of You.

I ask You to strengthen me in any and every adversity. Be my strength, and also my guide. Lead me only where You would have me go.

I commit to venture through every door that opens before me and I ask You to firmly close any door You do not wish me to take. I ask these things in Jesus’ name.                      Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

 

Protected

Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.                        Ezra 5.2

The work, brought to a standstill by the efforts of hostile men, was recommenced. God had spoken. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah had prophesied to the Jews, bringing them God’s word and directions. The ruling authorities questioned the actions of rebuilding (v3) but God’s protection was clearly in place over His people. We read: ...the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received. (v 5)

I am aware of two clear aspects in this story. One is the separation and distinction between the people of God and the others. Their aims differ, they have different agendas, and their methods are not the same. The second point is how God directs and protects His people. Yet, I sense there is a rider here. The Jewish leaders, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, obeyed the word of the Lord given to them by Haggai and Zechariah. God looks for the obedience of His people (1 Sam. 15.22). As we give ourselves to Him in humble obedience so, I believe, we can look for His guidance and protection.

As I, once more, translate this insight to today, I am mindful of the great divide between those people who follow the Lord God and seek to keep His ways and live in His will, and those who do not. I pray that God’s people will be courageous to live and do as He would have them live and do. As Zerubbabel and Jeshua stepped out in obedience, may we also be obedient, in this twenty-first century, to our great God. My fervent prayer is also that God will both direct and protect us. It might be that temple works have been on stand-still in many parts of the church of Jesus Christ. Rebuilding needs to recommence. God may be speaking today through His prophets. He may be poised to lead His people forward into a glorious new temple era. O, that His people, everywhere, will be alert to what He has to say, and obedient to what He may ask of us.

Lord God,

You are sovereign and supreme. I bow before You in humble gratitude. I look to You as my whole means of living.

I pray for the state of today’s world, and I cry out for the placement and condition of Your people. My heart cries out against the liberalism that seems to be destroying society. Dear God, we need You. The world is crying out for Jesus but doesn’t know it. Hear my payer for the world. Save us, Lord. Your word says that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. I ask You to draw unprecedented numbers into relationship with Jesus. May a worldwide movement gain momentum with people coming into true and lasting, living relationships with Jesus.

I pray for the Christian community. I ask for Your protection and strength. Raise up men and women of unquestioning obedience. Build Your church into a powerful force of love, impossible to ignore. Show us clearly the way, and lead us in it.

I ask for myself. I’m available, Lord. I give myself into Your service. I ask You to continue to equip me as I need it. You said You will open doors for me. I pray I may readily recognise the doors that You open, and willingly pass through. I offer myself if there is anything I can do to improve the state of people’s lives and lead them closer to You. If I hesitate at what You might ask of me, I seek Your strengthening. I pray for a deep delight in my heart to draw people closer to You.

And I seek this for myself. May I experience greater intimacy with You? Will You take me further, draw me closer, and cause me to go deeper? I love You, Lord and I seek to be so interwoven with You that I lose myself. May I truly know the Christ in me, and live in Him. I ask all these things of You, humbly in His powerful and precious name.         Amen.