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Posts Tagged ‘god’

Turning the Corner

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, Orphans, Responsibility, Spiritual Growth, Trials, worldview, tagged , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 29-31, Turning the Corner. Our time in Job thus far has been bookended by accounts of Job’s righteousness. In chapter 1 God speaks of Job’s righteousness so we know Job is truly a good and righteous person. In chapter 31 Job goes on to list all the things that he does that are good and right. Job’s righteousness is impressive and puts me in my place by comparison. Which, when I think about it, is possibly a good thing for both Job and me. It is good for Job because it uncovers an area of his life, pride and entitlement, that are NOT character traits that endear us to God. It is good for me because I still have a way to go to even measure up to Job’s righteousness AND I can receive the warning from Job’s pride. It is the slippery slope that comes when our reputation supersedes our relationship with the Father.

But everything is about to change. Job’s three friends have run out of steam. Their accusations and false help have not stuck. And Job’s heart is laid bare with all of his goodness peeled back to reveal an area of need. God loves Job just like He loves us. What seemingly started as a dare between God and Satan has become a tool God uses to reveal to Job his need that he would never have seen without his suffering AND the interactions with his friends. And God will use this to bless not just Job, but his friends too. I am excited to see where God takes us in the coming days.

Father, you love us too much to let us remain stuck. In Isaiah you call out righteousness laid over pride as filthy rags. You desire that we act right towards others, but you desire that to spring forth from our ever-growing relationship with you. So, we bend our knees and lay all our ambitions and motivations before you now. You know them already. We ask that you help us to see ourselves rightly and live surrendered. We offer ourselves to you that you might transform us. We are your children and our desire is to live as faithful men and women of God. Be glorified, our Lord and our God!

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Beginning of Wisdom

Posted in Bible Study, God, Spiritual Growth, The Father, Trials, Vision, worldview, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 24-28, Beginning of Wisdom. Unlike most of scripture, the only way to properly read Job is in its entirety. The Bible is amazing in many respects. One of those is that it encompasses a variety of literary styles. In telling Job’s story and capturing the dialog of Job and his three friends, we see descriptions of God and His character that are opinions and not hard facts. The mixture of truth, half-truth, and misunderstanding about God is combined in a way that emphasizes foundational truth about God and His ways, but only when we read the entire story. If you are like me, it has taken multiple reads to get to the point that I can see this and not get tied up in the warped theology espoused by Job’s friends and, to a degree, but Job.

When we get to Job 28:28 I cannot help but release a big sigh. In my mind I have been trying to parse out the truth versus misunderstanding in each person’s dialog. Even Job speaks at times with more emotion and less faith than I am comfortable with. As an engaged reader it is a mental and emotional roller-coaster. But then I read a verse that I can hang my hat on. ‘And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”’ I find this truth throughout scripture. I find this truth in evaluating the world on a macro level. And I have found this to be true in my 65 years on earth.

LORD, you are the source of all wisdom. When things don’t make sense, when evil seems to triumph, we know we can trust you and trust your heart. You have made all things – seen and unseen. You exist outside of time – the past, present, and future are all now to you. We bow to you, acknowledging our great limitations and your limitless nature. That out of all this, that you love us and desire what is best for us, we humbly, reverently, give you thanks and offer you our lives. It is in the mighty Name of Jesus that we pray,

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Arguing with God

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 21-23, Arguing with God. It was freeing for me when I realized I didn’t need to act pious before God. As I grew in our relationship, recognizing that His love and forgiveness were way bigger than my sin and assorted stumbles in life, I became able to stop trying to be righteous. It made any perceived distance between us shrink and I began to understand what it meant to “walk with God”. And instead of striving and trying to act right against the current of the world, my fleshly desires, and the temptations of Satan, my heart and my mind became more desirous of pleasing my faithful Lord. Doing what brings joy to Him became my desire. Because I knew He loved me unconditionally AND knew all that I thought, it became totally fine to talk it out when I was unhappy, confused, angry or any other emotion that I had attempted to stuff when I was trying to act righteous.

I recognize this in Job today. He is ready to argue with God. We know He doesn’t have the whole picture and some of Job’s assumptions are not correct, but I am encouraged because He never loses faith in God. He may be ready to challenge God that He has made a mistake in punishing him, but He does not lose faith that God is there or that He will listen to Him. While very limited in the New Testament, lamentations are a common theme in the Old Testament. As many as 60 of the Psalms are considered lamentations and there is even one whole book that is a collection of distressed heart cries to God called Lamentations. Being honest with God, even if it is an argument we are going to lose, is the path to greater intimacy with the Lover of our soul.

Father, thank you, that we can be real with you. We do not need to hide how we feel. Beyond the fact that there is nothing we can hide, there is truly more mercy, grace, and love readily available to us, that we can only receive when we let down our guard and let you in. That you gently, lovingly, pursue us, encouraging us to open up, is truly a great gift. Even when we don’t fully understand what’s going on, we put our trust in you. You are faithful and true. Blessed be the Name of the LORD, our God! Amen!

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My Redeemer Lives

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, Spiritual Growth, Trials, worldview, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 17-20, My Redeemer Lives. Lately I have had this tremendous sense of gratitude that we live in a day and time when God’s progressive revelation of Himself has come so far. In the days of the Prophets, the understanding of God was limited to the Law and the mixed messages coming from true prophets and false prophets and priests. When the people were wandering in the wilderness, they had Moses and the stone tablets, but we saw how much weight that carried. That whole generation (except Joshua and Caleb) died because of their lack of faith. From Abraham to Moses, there was God’s promise to Abraham, but not a lot more to rest your faith on. So, for Job to proclaim this truth, years before God spoke to Abram (who became Abraham) in the midst of his great suffering, is a testament to his faith. And it is BIG faith statement.

I have this mental picture right now that won’t go away. I see a kitten hanging on the end of a rope. There is both terror and determination in the kitten’s eyes. The caption reads, “Hang in there, baby.” Job’s cry are the words the kitten is thinking as it dangles. And there is a reward as the rope is pulled up and rescue ensues. Our Redeemer does live and He is our Rescuer. Job may not be correct in saying his suffering is from God, but he is absolutely on target when he says My, and Our, Redeemer Lives.

Faithful Redeemer and Lord, we thank you that in all things and at all times we can trust you. Even when we are at the end of our rope, you are there. Psalm 139 comes to mind, you know me, you know us, and we are yours. Thank you for rescuing us, for sending Jesus to die that we might live. Thank you for redeeming us, purchasing us with a price far beyond our worth. We pause to let that sink in… You paid so much for us because you love us and you have good plans for us. Such knowledge is too wonderful, to amazing. But that is who you are… our wonderful, amazing, glorious Redeemer, Savior, and Lord! Amen!

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Patience in Pain

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, Spiritual Growth, Trials, worldview, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 14-16, Patience in Pain. As an engineer I see most things in a cause and effect paradigm. Having experienced God’s grace in many tangible ways, I fully count on His sovereignty to win the day and outcomes to be good, eventually. There are many Biblical promises such as Jeremiah 29:11 that point to this. God’s past actions and His present promises provide the framework for my belief that my current pain will be transformed into future blessing. Grief, suffering, and heartache are not to be denied, but they can be tempered and endured with the knowledge that the One who has been faithful will remain faithful.

I read the story in Acts 5 yesterday where the Apostles were beaten for preaching the Gospel. Their response to suffering the beating was rejoicing. How could they rejoice when their backs were bruised and bloodied? Because they were able to look beyond the pain to the wonderful work the Holy spirit was doing. They could see the kingdom of God growing. As I type, I get a glimpse of the millions of martyrs through the ages, and I realize that there has never been a tear shed or blood spilled by one of the Lord’s saints that hasn’t resulted in the kingdom expanding. What the enemy means for evil, God turns into good. That’s why we can have patience in the pain.

Father, we are so thankful that you walk with us through life, even carrying us when it gets overwhelming. Job’s friends could not see past their paradigm that had only an earthly cause and effect perspective. We know that you move in heaven and earth and sometimes we won’t see the great good you are doing until later… sometimes much later. We simply ask today that you will help us to grow in faith to exercise patience in the painful times. That includes not just our times of pain, but that of our friends, neighbors and people we meet. May your grace flow through us today. In Jesus’ Name.

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Arguing with God

Posted in God, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on January 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 21-23. It was freeing for me when I realized I didn’t need to act pious before God. As I grew in our relationship, recognizing that His love and forgiveness were way bigger than my sin and assorted stumbles in life, I became able to stop trying to be righteous. It made any perceived distance between us shrink and I began to understand what it meant to “walk with God”. And instead of striving and trying to act right against the current of the world, my fleshly desires, and the temptations of Satan, my heart and my mind became more desirous of pleasing my faithful Lord. Doing what brings joy to Him became my desire. Because I knew He loved me unconditionally AND knew all that I thought, it became totally fine to talk it out when I was unhappy, confused, angry or any other emotion that I had attempted to stuff when I was trying to act righteous.

I recognize this in Job today. He is ready to argue with God. We know He doesn’t have the whole picture and some of Job’s assumptions are not correct, but I am encouraged because He never loses faith in God. He may be ready to challenge God that He has made a mistake in punishing him, but He does not lose faith that God is there or that He will listen to Him. While very limited in the New Testament, lamentations are a common theme in the Old Testament. As many as 60 of the Psalms are considered lamentations and there is even one whole book that is a collection of distressed heart cries to God called Lamentations. Being honest with God, even if it is an argument we are going to lose, is the path to greater intimacy with the Lover of our soul.

Father, thank you, that we can be real with you. We do not need to hide how we feel. Beyond the fact that there is nothing we can hide, there is truly more mercy, grace, and love readily available to us, that we can only receive when we let down our guard and let you in. That you gently, lovingly, pursue us, encouraging us to open up, is truly a great gift. Even when we don’t fully understand what’s going on, we put our trust in you. You are faithful and true. Blessed be the Name of the LORD, our God! Amen!

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Why I Now Like Job – Understanding Suffering and God’s Sovereignty

Posted in Bible Study, Bible Study, God, Spiritual Growth, Trials, tagged , , , , , , , , , on January 5, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Perhaps a better description of my attitude toward the book of Job is that I appreciate it now. It is still a pretty dark situation. I mean Job is a really good guy and he loses everything… except his wife who tells him he should curse God and die. At least he has that going for him. (Okay, sarcasm is a little harder to pull off in print, especially when you have as wonderful a wife as I do and I by no means am throwing off on wives, because mine is the BEST!)

Context is really important and I suspect that this idea of setting the context correctly will be something I repeatedly touch on this year. The setting for Job was some 400 years after the flood and still sometime before the LORD would call forth a specific person, Abram, and begin to reveal His plan of redemption through his family line. In this time there was an awareness of God or gods, but His progressive revelation of Himself was in an early stage.

As we saw in Noah’s interaction with God, i.e. following His instructions to build an Ark and then offering sacrifices upon leaving the Ark, there is a sense of a moral code that comes from God and some process of appeasing God in case we have broken that moral code. There was even a clear understanding that you could go far enough in breaking the moral code that God would wipe you out. Echoes of the flood remained these 400 years later. (Interesting side note, there are several global flood accounts from other ancient civilizations independent of the one captured in the Hebrew scriptures and our Bible.)

When we look at Noah, we see a man and his family rescued by God from a cataclysmic flood based upon Noah’s righteousness and faithfulness to God. And we also see punishment of wickedness to everyone else because they had devolved to a state of constant sin. With this memory of the flood and the reasons behind it still resident, it is not too much of a stretch to see how Job and his friends had a fairly black and white view of the world and God’s system of justice.

Through the story of Job, God reveals a more nuanced understanding of sin, loss, justice, God’s sovereignty, and His involvement in the lives of humanity. It is a major step in God’s self-revelation of who He is and sets the stage for His plan of redemption. I mentioned that I appreciate Job now, and I think the reason is because reading the stories in the Bible in chronological order as I am this year, it makes more sense how God was deliberate in rolling out His plan over the millennia.

Spoiler alert, we’re going to get to the end of Job and we are not going to be told why God allowed all these bad things to happen to Job. At least Job is not going to be told even though God speaks to him for several of the later chapters. However, the fact that his story is captured in the Sacred Scriptures is the reason. There are many lessons that can be gleaned from Job’s story which in itself is the reason Job had to suffer. A righteous man suffering for the benefit of others for the rest of time, that almost feels like a foreshadow of someone…

A few major takeaways from Job that I struggled to see when I just focused upon his grievous losses to begin the story. Today, they come through clearly.

God is sovereign. Satan, the Accuser, wanted to attack and hurt the righteous man, Job. God did not prevent it, but He could have. He did set limitations upon what Satan could do.

Satan, the Accuser, is malevolent and wants to hurt the righteous. He is a source of a lot of pain and loss in the world. He is restrained, but he still looks for ways to inflict suffering.

Suffering can come from multiple sources. We’ve already mentioned an active enemy, Satan. We also live in a fallen world where the brokenness of this world (think cancer) and the sin of others (think drunk driver taking the life of a loved one) can bring suffering upon us. And, as Job’s friends repeatedly accused Job of, we can bring pain upon ourselves with our bad choices and our sin.

God is relational. It is interesting that God provides quite the discourse at the end of the book. While God speaks to Job, the gathered friends benefit from God’s chastisement of Job as well.

God corrects those He loves. As I read the later chapters of Job, I can picture his head dropping further and further as he realizes how he has put the living God in a box based upon his own very limited understanding. My head droops a little too as I recognize that I am prone to do the same.

God can, and will, bring good out of bad. He does this for Job. He does this through Job to the generations of persons who have read and discerned God’s message through Job’s life. The apostle Paul may have even thought of Job when he penned the words in his letter to the Romans…‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ‘ Romans 8:28

My practical application of Job is pretty simple. When bad things happen in my life, I pause and take inventory, asking the LORD to reveal if there is any sin in me or any bad decision I have made that is bringing this about. This applies in many ways, not just big things. If my beloved and I have a disagreement, this self-reflection is key. And I often find that I do have some degree of ownership of the issue. I repent, i.e. change my mind. I own my part of the problem. And I engage from a place of humility.

After I have taken these steps, I then evaluate whether there is more I need to do. Prayer is key. In some cases, there is an aspect of spiritual warfare taking place and being aligned with the Holy Spirit is essential. In a few cases there is someone who is acting counter to God’s best. If I am to address, then I do so through much prayer and in humility. If I am not to be the person to address it, then I intercede for the person who is.

The bottom line in all of this is that I trust in God’s many promises and I stick as close to Him as I know how. In John 15 Jesus tells His disciples to “abide” in Him 11 times over those first 17 verses. Abiding is essential when loss hits us. There is comfort in abiding even when answers are not immediate. There is alignment in abiding when we are not sure of the direction we are to face. There is healing in abiding because we are with the great physician.

Job is still one of the less enjoyable books of the Bible, but it is so important in giving a balanced view of God and the world we live in. I appreciate Job’s life today and I am thankful for the lessons he can teach me about living in right relationship with my Heavenly Father.

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What’s in Your Diet

Posted in exercise, Priorities, Vision, worldview, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »

It’s New Years Day and like many people my mind has been on things I would like to do differently in 2026. Turning the page on a new year always seems like the right time to turn the page to a new and better me. As I woke this morning my mind flitted back and forth between what do I want to exclude and what to include in my diet in 2026. Too many sweets, too large portions, too many snacks were all a challenge in 2025 that I aim to rectify. But as I pondered and prayed (and it is not a bad thing for these to blend together) I sensed the Holy Spirit broadening me to consider ALL that I take in and / or exclude from my life in 2026. His gentle guidance is to continually orient ALL of me toward the Lord and His “kingdom purposes” for me. By definition that must include reorienting myself away from the lesser things that draw me away from Him and from walking in kingdom living.

A friend of mine just sent me this text which fits for flipping the page. It also happens to be the founding verse for our church – NewSpring Church. ‘“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’ Isaiah 43:18-19

So, I begin with setting the foundation for what we are created for. That is to know God and to make Him known.  To enjoy Him and to share that enjoyment with others naturally flows as we grow closer to Him. His love gradually saturates us and becomes the engine that drives our witness to who He is and what He has done in our life. It really is not about a formula or methodology. It is about living life the way He designed it to be lived and allowing the fruit of that life to grow and be shared with others.

I love growing and working with plants. Retirement, when it finally comes, will include plenty of time spent with dirty hands amongst green growing things. I have learned that healthy, nutrient rich soil is vital to strong, vibrant, beautiful plants. The plants take these nutrients up through their roots and this feeds the whole of the plant. There are only a few plants that can grow in poor soil and the vast majority of these are weeds, plants that do not add beauty, delight, or in the case of fruit and vegetables, anything worth eating. This truth carries over to our lives. What is the “soil” we are planted in? Where are your roots? Are you getting the nutrients you need to produce good fruit, godly fruit?

Because we are created as more complex beings than the flowers and tomato plants in our yard, lets zero in on the areas of our diet we will consider in 2026. Our complexity can be grouped into our physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. I’m sure there are sub-divisions to these and for sure some overlap such as emotional and social, but my feeble brain can work with these divisions, so please bear with me.

The huge number of gym memberships and diet plans started in January of each year testify to the awareness we have of our physical needs. We are overweight and / or out of shape and we want to do something about it. By the end of January something around 2/3 of the diets and workout routines have been abandoned. One of the causes is that a wholistic approach is not considered. Our physical being must align with the other facets of who we are. Improvement in one area alone will not be sustainable.

So, when I consider my diet, I will look at the food and much more. It will include the exercise I will intentionally undertake. It will guide what I do to expand my knowledge of the world I live in. I will be aware of and practice activities that meet my true emotional needs while discerning and addressing the lies that would lead me to bad decisions and emotional harm. I will look for healthy social interactions and ways to make a positive impact in the areas where the Lord leads me. And the true foundation for a believer is how do we nurture our relationship with the Lord of life in such a way that we grow closer to Him and better able to follow His leading in all things.

Here are a few things I am going to do or do differently in 2026. Most are extensions of things I have either done in the past or I am doing now, but need reinforcement. This is my list and should not necessarily be your list. However, these may stir something in you that you want to take to the LORD for consideration. That is truly my hope that the LORD would encourage you in some way that helps you to grow closer to Him in 2026.

I will read the Word every day and capture at least one key thought to share with others. I will share this through a GroupMe group.

I will read through the entire Bible chronologically this year.

I will reestablish a prayer discipline that has waned some in the recent past.

I will read at least 10 pages of non-fiction (other than the Bible) every day.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, I will engage in at least one new ministry this year.

I will revisit the Spiritual Disciplines I am currently using and, with the Holy Spirit’s help, refresh and start anew.

I will drastically reduce the amount of sugar and sweeteners I consume.

I will limit portion size on my meals. It is okay not to clean my plate. At the first sign of fullness, I will stop eating.

I will engage in intentional exercise of 45 minutes duration at least 3 times per week.

I will engage in some form of exercise for at least 20 minutes per day resulting in at least 7000 steps per day.

I will limit my social media viewing to 30 minutes max per day.

I will have a date night at least once per week. Lisa deserves my undivided attention and I am blessed by hers.

I will make at least one new acquaintance each week. This can be while traveling for work, on the golf course with our son, Sam, during one of our “adventure trips”, or through church.

I will complete the story I began writing in 2025 (Titus’s Travels) and share it with at least 10 friends.

I will post at least four longer blogs to areliablefaith.com each month. This is the first one and it is going out on January 1 so I am making a good start.

I will actively support the ministries we have partnered with… NewSpring, More 320 Haven, YWAM-Matthew, CRU-Emily & Forrest, SOW- Coleman, SOW- Lifespring School, Kenya, Hounds of Heaven – South Anderson

Visit, call, or text Mom at least once per day.

Visit, call, or text each of my children at least three times per week.

Visit at least one new National Park.

Visit at least one new Country and learn three things about their culture I did not know.

Write at least two papers / articles / blog posts for work this year.

Speak at a work conference this year.

Have at least one touch base with every Consultant each week.

Participate in Wednesday Men’s Bible Study every Wednesday that I am in town.

Follow up on the possibility of buying property for our retirement home.

I am going to pause for now. I surprised myself with the amount of pent up things to do, things to change, that I had. I can see how these would provide some helpful guardrails that have either not existed or have become ignored over time. Because I am an engineer at heart, there just might be a spreadsheet to track my progress. Again, I don’t know that this is for everyone, but I find it helpful to hold myself accountable.

I encourage anyone who reads this to let me know at least one thing you have taken away from this post.

I wish you all a blessed start to your new year of 2026.

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Desire to be a Doorkeeper

Posted in Church, God, Jesus Christ, Prayer, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 31, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Psalms 82-82 Romans 2. I like the image that comes to mind when I read Psalm 84:10. ‘Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.’ The picture is one of joyful exuberance as I swing the door wide to welcome people – young and old, excited and exhausted, some that look like me and many who look nothing like me, multi-colored, varieties of dress, just lots of people who are drawn to be near the Lord God Almighty.

I can clearly see the smile on my face and the joy in my eyes as I know Who awaits them inside. Many streaming in already know Him and have an abiding relationship with the Lover of their soul. Some do not, but they have hope and so they come. God, who is Love, has brought them to the doors of faith and He is ready to meet them where they are and draw them to Himself.

There is historical context to this Psalm that is helpful to know. The Jewish people had three high feast days when it was expected that they would travel to Jerusalem to worship as God’s gathered people. For a time, God placed a unique manifestation of His presence in the Temple. While God is omnipresent, i.e. present in all places at all times, He can and does chose to manifest His presence in a more tangible way in discrete places for periods of time. He can do this in human form like He did in Babylon in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abenego, He can do it like He did with the Ark of the Covenant, or He can do it like He did in the Temple in Jerusalem as a cloud. The point is God is both always present and, at times, manifestly present. To come to the Temple is to say, I want to be as close to the Lord as I possibly can. And that is a good thing.

One final thought. Standing at the door we get to experience God’s presence while at the same time extending His invitation to others who have not experienced Him. Being in His presence and soaking up His lovingkindness does wonders for us, but it is also meant to motivate us to share it with others. God’s love in contagious in the most wonderful way. We work in concert with the Holy Spirit as we do life with others, taking the opportunities presented to point to Him, to speak of Him, to live in a manner that represents Him well. As we do, we are swinging the door wide and offering the invitation, “Come inside, the LORD invites you to join Him. He is so glad you came!”

LORD, you are Holy. That you invite us to join you is wonderful, amazing, and a bit surprising. But through your Son, Jesus, you made a way that we can enter in. You offered cleansing from sin by His precious blood spilled on our behalf. So, with gratitude and in great humility we bend the knee and say, “thank you”. While we rightfully should remain in this posture, you reach down and lift us up, saying, “Arise my child, your sins are forgiven. Come join the celebration!” And we do. Glory, honor, and praise be ever to our King, our Lord, the one true God. Amen and AMEN!

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Dichotomy

Posted in Bible Study, God, Jesus Christ, Romans, Salvation, Spiritual Growth, The Father, worldview, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 30, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Psalm 79-81, Romans 1. Paul’s letter to the Romans is a beautiful treatise on the difference between life without God versus the transformed life in union with God. This first chapter provides a 30,000-foot view of this dichotomy where Paul is setting the table for what is to come.

Life can be parsed into three phases – transgression, transaction, and transformation. Transgression is the first phase and sadly, many people never leave this phase. Romans 1:18-32 describe life in the transgression phase – broken, sinful, and separated from God.

The transaction phase is when we hear and receive the Gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-5 touches on the heart of this transaction which Paul will elaborate on over the coming pages. In this phase God exchanges our sins for Jesus’ righteousness in an act of ultimate mercy and grace. He changes our heart, our direction, and our ultimate destination.

Then there is the transformation phase where our lives become aligned with God’s will over time. I can’t help but jump ahead to Romans 12:1-2 as I think about this. It follows the transaction where we lay down our old lives and say yes to Jesus as Savior and Lord. This transformation is our lives becoming increasingly aligned with Jesus. In one place it is called putting on the “mind of Christ”. It is where our habits are changed from being dictated by self and the world’s ways to becoming directed by the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is a time of partnership with the deep working of the Holy Spirit in us to bring about a total transformation of how we think, speak, and act.

The Gospels give us a clear picture of Jesus – who He is, what He did while in the flesh, and what the life He calls us to looks like. Acts describes this glorious giving of the Holy Spirit who indwells us as redeemed children of God. We see how the Holy Spirit works within the gathered body of Christ as a group as well as in individuals who are in the transformation process.  In this letter to the Romans Paul connects the dots between these three phases, reaching back to the beginning of the story in Genesis through the Gospels, into the time of the book of Acts, and, under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, all the way to us as we read his words today.

I love the book of Romans because it articulates the path I have been walking on for 40+ years. When I read it it’s like looking at the map to check my location, my destination, and to correct where I may be a little off. It is a gift from the Lord to lead us home and to help us finish strong!

Lord, thank you for all the saints who have gone before us. Today as we launch into the letter you inspired Paul to write, we thank you for the wise words that help us on our journey in faith. Your plan for us is good and we desire to walk it out with constancy and purpose. Take what we read, the circumstances of our lives, and the needs within us and bring about your perfect will. We want to become more like Jesus today. We want to shed whatever vestige of our old self that might rise up so that the new creation in You might be revealed. We want to please you in word, in deed, and even in our thoughts. Lord God, you are our God, you are our hope, you are our All in All. Blessed be your Holy Name!

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