Archive for the ‘Devo’ Category

One Warrior….Bringing Us All Back

My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. – Isaiah 53:2

He was humble and lowly in appearance. Yet, this was the King.  Walking plainly, openly among His people.  He was the Warrior showing us the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  And his battle was waged and won on a cross.  His infinite glory veiled.  But when he returns, when he Rides Again…there will be no mistaking his appearance as a warrior.  As the King of Kings to whom every knee shall bow.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. (‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭11-16‬ NLT)

I am grateful for the ONE…the Warrior Jesus Christ who is bringing us all back….

Out of every one hundred men,
ten shouldn’t even be there,
eighty are just targets,
nine are the real fighters,
and we are lucky to have them,
for they make the battle.
Ah, but the one,
one is a warrior,
and he will bring the others back.

Heraclitus (Circa 500 B.C.)

Now and Not Yet Forever

Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭18‬ NLT)

Ever notice how some of the people with the least amount of character seem to just succeed and get further and further ahead in life….more promotions, prestigious positions, awards, money, possessions, etc. It happens all the time and can be quite frustrating to those who strive to live with relational integrity, honor, and respect. The temptation is ever present to bend our ethics just a little in order to get ahead and catch pace with the world. That’s where verse a like Proverbs 11:18 are helpful.

While the ways of world may outpace the ways of righteousness in many categories in this life…they leave the accounts empty for the life to come. Right living in view of the now can feel like a sacrifice. Right living in view of the not yet can feel like a steal. The return on investment of a life surrendered to Christ is so ridiculously huge it cannot be fully quantified.

Life is long, and hard, and filled with many trials….and yet, it’s but a breath, a blink of the eye in comparison to eternity. The way of the now seems right…

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬ NLT)

Live for the not yet and the reward…will last forever!

Man of Understanding & Knowledge

Proverbs 28:2 says…

When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (‭ESV)

The world is a land of transgression with many rulers. Jesus is the man of understanding and knowledge who’s stability will long continue.

It amazes me that Jesus loved the transgressing world so much that he gave up everything in pursuit of us. Living and dying as one of us. Defeating the grave and ascending as none of us. He’s the King of Kings, ruler over everything seen and unseen, and His stability will long continue.

When life is a roller coaster…His stability can hold your heart and hope secure.

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Jay: a nickname for Jason
A2: a nickname for Ann Arbor
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