Tag Archives: God’s provision

July 28
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“Now that we know what we have — Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God — let’s not let it slip through our fingers.  We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality.  He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all — all but the sin.  So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give.  Take the mercy, accept the help.”  (Hebrews 4:14-16, The Message)

If you believe that asking for help as a sign of weakness, you’re right! It is a sign of weakness.

Knowing our true state, God has provided the example of His Son — tested in every human situation!  Having passed each test with a perfect score; Jesus — the victor — has provided His own spirit to give us the inspiration and the power to succeed.

Trouble and trial stalk us like prey.  “Take the mercy. Accept the help.”  – Luther

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July 7
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“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?'”  (John 21:15, NIV)

(This is a complex passage of scripture because its few words carry a number of applications.  Today, we look at a second possible application.)

In the wake of Jesus’ crucifixion; and in the foggy days after the empty tomb, Peter and some of the other disciples had decided to return to their former lives as fishermen.  After all, a man’s got to eat.

Jesus’ question: “Do you love me more than these?”, also challenges our personal desire for security and affirmation.  Peter and his fishing companions had seen more in the three years of Jesus’ public ministry than most people will ever see: The dead raised to life, the incurably ill restored to health, the Lord’s command of nature, and much more.  And there are God’s promises, of course, which they had either forgotten or ignored.

So they went back to fishing, because that was what they were comfortable doing; and, after all, a man’s got to eat.

Do we love Jesus more than all of the other things in this life that give us a sense of security and comfort, particularly when we know that He is calling us to do — and be — something else?  – Luther

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July 5
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“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)

“Temptation” is any invitation to abandon God’s will.  In this world, temptation is a common experience.  However, escaping temptation is expected to be the Christian disciple’s common response.

The bible tells us that God will not allow a temptation greater than we can bear.  In every temptation — whether we are facing it for the first time or for the 50th time — God has provided us an exit.

When you are tempted, look for the exit — then take it!  – Luther

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