Tag: righteous

Second Sunday of Lent, Trust God for Answers

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We have seen such wonderful names of God this first full week of Lent. Rewarder, Forgiver, Promise Keeper, Light, Righteousness and Everlasting, each of these give us hope, thoughts to bring to God in prayer and repentance. Here is a continuation of the Psalm we started last Sunday, 103:11-19.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; How big is your God’s love?
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Do you trust Him to thoroughly remove your sins?
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Do you allow God to show you compassion?
14 For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust. Do you trust Him to number your days justly?

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, God knows were are fleeting.
    and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children’s children, God covers us with his Love and righteousness.
18 to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, God wins and has an eternal home for us.
    and his kingdom rules over all.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know all things are Yes in Jesus and I can trust Him with all my questions. May your prayers be rich today and lead you to a deeper relationship with Him.

Linda

Lord Our Righteousness

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Today’s name of God was given in Jeremiah 23:5-6, The Lord Our Righteousness which is Jehovah Tsidkeu in Hebrew. God revealed to Jeremiah the prophet that from David’s line would come one who was righteous, a king who we would claim as our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:5-6“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

This is such a wonderful prophecy about our Lord Jesus as the New Testament proclaims we receive our rightousness from Him. Paul states in Romans 3:21-22 “ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.” We can have the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus the Son.

We believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he came to earth to be an atonement for our sins allowing himself to die on the cross knowing He would conquer death and be raised to life. The power of His atoning blood and the power of His resurrection is how He imputes His righteousness to us through faith. 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” We were healed by his death and now when God looks at us He sees the blood of Jesus covering our sins!

There are many wonderful verses about Jesus’ righteousness that He imparted to us. Here are a few to ponder as you marvel at God’s amazing love:

The power of righteousness in our lives. Romans 1:16-17 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

The cost of Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden and Jesus’ gift to us. Romans 5:17 “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”

Our hearts should be humbled by Jesus’ sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 1:29-30 “ so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be clean and pure before God as I’m covered in Jesus’ blood and righteousness. He is our righteous God.

What are your thoughts about Jesus’ righteousness? Do you take it for granted or assume you can have forgiveness and rightness with God without repentance? During this Lenten season, try to keep short accounts with God, going to Him often with your sin and seeking His forgiveness. He will cover you with Jesus’ righteousness just as He promised.

Linda

Holy Week, Monday -Confronting Injustice

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There are two specific actions Bible Commentaries assign to Monday of Holy Week.  Jesus entered the city humbly and triumphantly on Sunday and then cleansed the temple area of money changers and withered a fig tree on Monday.  Both actions seem harsh from our Lord but give a picture of the worldly opposition to God’s kingdom.  From both we get a glimpse of divine justice.  You can read the accounts in Matthew 21 and Mark 11.

Jerusalem at Passover was a bustling city with many pilgrims arriving to make offerings at the temple. They needed to purchase animals for sacrifice and change money so they could pay the yearly temple tax. The exchanges were all being conducted in the outer court of the Gentiles.  Here is Matthew’s account from 21:12-14.

moneychangers

12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

“My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.“

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.  (Message)

Jesus was then, is now and will be in eternity the Righteous Judge.  He saw the true motives of the people desiring to make money exorbitantly and uprooted and cast them out literally.  He placed priority for prayer and worship on coming to God’s house.  He got right to the work of his ministry- healing and allowing access to God for everyone.

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As we near the cross, take heart from this short snippet in Jesus’ last week.  Know that He came to save and set right relationships and motives towards God.  What attitudes do you need adjusted by Jesus today?  Do you attend church to make ‘connections’ with people for business or do you come to pray and reflect on your walk with Jesus?  Looking at the heart is what Jesus did then and does now in our lives through the Holy Spirit.  Let Him cleanse your heart today and put you on the right pathway with right motives.  May our hearts be right with God today as suggested in this quote by Charles Wesley.  

Prayer:  Father God, I come to you today in need of readjusted attitudes and I desire that my motives be made pure.  Show me where I have wrong attitudes and motives.  Fill me with your Spirit anew today and guide me in your ways.  Cause me to walk with you in humility and openness. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Do you desire to have a heart of prayer today? Then lift up your voice and thoughts to Him. He will answer. Proverbs 15:29 “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” Be right with God today.

Linda