THE FEUD WITH GOD

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:22-23 NIV)

The Hatfield-McCoy feud began in 1863, when the Hatfields fought the McCoys on the Kentucky-West Virginia border. Historians disagree on the reasons for the feud; some say it began with a pig theft, others say it was because of a secret romance. Whatever the reason, it caused the death of more than one hundred men, women, and children. More than a century later, in May 1976, Jim McCoy and Willis Hatfield, the last two survivors of the original families, shook hands. The survivors came together to build a monument memorializing the victims of the feud. Jim McCoy died in 1984, at the age of ninety-nine. He bore no grudges, and the Hatfield Funeral Home handled the burial.

We know the reason for the feud between God and [human beings] -- sin. But God was willing to meet us at a monument on the hill of Calvary. He was willing to bury His grudge in a tomb sealed with a stone. What about you? Are you still feuding with God? Perhaps it’s time to accept the invitation to meet Jesus at the cross and bury your grudges along with your past. 

-- Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose in “Pathways to God’s Treasure: Ephesians”

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THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

The presence of Christ with the Christian has numerous benefits.  Christ is like the Good Shepherd, guiding us through life, and He is sovereign over everything.  This realization gives us a deep peace.  It is most significant that when Christ met His disciples after He rose from the dead, He often gave them greetings of peace (Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 21,26).  This peace touches every area of life that could trouble us.  We are freed from a troubled conscience that could bother us with guilt feelings over the past.  We have courage to face the challenges of the present because Jesus, who is sovereign over all things, is with us.  We are not anxious about the future.  So the peace of Christ touches our attitude to the past, the present, and the future.  It is a peace completely different from the peace the world gives (John 14:27), for it is not dependent on circumstances, but on Christ, and He is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). 

-- Ajith Fernando in “The Christian's Attitude Toward World Religions”

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ACCEPTING GOD’S GIFT

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23 NLT)

Have you heard of the man who was asked, “How are your children doing in school these days?” “Well, they are doing better,” he replied, “but I do still go to PTA meetings under an assumed name!” Many parents can relate to that and understand that, and obviously that dad was just kidding. But the truth is, God is the opposite of that. He openly claims us. He openly seeks us out. He openly reaches out to us. He openly, intentionally, graciously, relentlessly, sacrificially offers gifts to us: the gift of salvation, the gift of forgiveness, the gift of eternal life, the gift of Christ, the gift of His unconditional love.

But we must do our part. We have to accept the gift. What are we waiting for? Why do we hold back? Why are we hesitant to accept God’s gracious gift of Himself? Why are we so reluctant to say “yes” to God?

If you need to say “yes” to God, do it now! 

-- James W. Moore and Bob J. Moore in “Lord, Give Me Patience!... And Give It to Me Right Now!”

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FALLING IN LOVE

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Applying human criteria for "falling in love," does it describe your love for God? That is, do we get that sense of awe and wonder? Do we relish the time spent together? Do we think about Him as we go about our day? Worshipping our Lord should stir emotions in our very soul. Yes, we should be "in love" with God Almighty. We should nourish that love and strive to build it stronger and stronger as we together face the trials of this earth. Our experiences in life should bring us closer and closer to our God. He is there, willing and waiting.

-- Pastor Gary Stone

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BECAUSE WE LOVE JESUS

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  (Mark 12:30 NIV)

Sometimes as I think about the accomplishments of others, just for a moment I wonder, “What if…?” But then, almost immediately, I’m reminded that God has given me my own unique purpose in life.

Psalm 23:3 says, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” To find and follow those paths, to work out His purpose for our lives, will require reading and studying God’s Word and praying about how it applies to us. It will involve obedience and service. Not because we have to but because we love Jesus. That’s the path He has laid out before us.

With all your heart just follow Jesus. From personal experience, I can assure you, you’ll be blessed. Satisfied. Fulfilled. He will never mislead you. He will lead you right. Follow Him! 

-- Anne Graham Lotz in “Fixing My Eyes on Jesus: Daily Moments in His Word”

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