The Instructions of Jesus

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

18 Years Ago:
I remember exactly where I was and what was happening on that day. 

I was in the middle of a prayer meeting with and for law enforcement people when someone came in and said a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. At that moment, I thought that it may have been a Cessna or another small plane.

It wasn't until I was going to another pastors meeting that I realized what was happening. Our meeting was dominated by watching the news coverage that day. We were all dumbfounded.

Today:
God's Word through St. Paul's to the Thessalonians gives to us our lives and how we are to live today.

1st Thessalonians 4:1-2: Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Our lives today, as well as everyday, are based upon God's Words for us. Words like,

You shall have no other god but me. That does not include idols or anything or anyone more special than me.
You shall not use God's name in a manner that is not respectful.
You shall honor your mother and your father.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness, or testimony, against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or husband, man servant, maid servant, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

God's word is ways by which we please Him. God's word opens our lives to His direction, strength, focus, and life. God's word was made flesh and He made His dwelling among us.

God's Word, Jesus Christ, is the perfect fulfillment of God's word. He knows we can't and won't. We know we can't and won't. It is time to be honest with ourselves about that reality. So by believing and knowing that, we can realize God's grace in Jesus more fully. Jesus is also the sacrifice that "keeps on giving." Jesus is the one time sacrifice so that we are forgiven of all of our sins. Jesus' forgiveness frees us from sin, death, the influence of Satan, and eternal separation from God the Father. Jesus' resurrection gives to us the promise of a brand new life to live right now as well as a brand new life to live with Him forever.

So NOW...
We experience God's words with appreciation for what Jesus did along with what God the Father calls us to do.
We follow His words not because we HAVE TO, but because we WANT TO. 
We live each day honoring those served with love, cared with heart, and gave the full measure of devotion to save other lives.

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