Asides

“Now the famine was severe in Samaria, and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.) (I Kings 18:2b – 4, NIV)

Obadiah, like many of us, was at or near the pinnacle of his working life.  Yet, his position as the king’s “chief of staff” was not the primary force of Obadiah’s life: He was also “a devout believer in the Lord.”

Because of that commitment, Obadiah did what was morally right — even though it was contrary to the law of the land, and he would have paid with his life had his support of the prophets of the Lord been discovered.

May we each be like Obadiah: Not married to our privileges, power, prestige, and position, but first and always committed to — and trusting in — the Lord. If we become stewards of the rich benefits of our years of work and sacrifice, it is only for the benefit of others and for the glory of God.  – Luther

Tagged , , , ,

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15, NKJV)

The word we translate as “thanks” is used more than 40 times in the New Testament. (And that does not include variants of that word, such as “thanksgiving,” and “gratitude.”)

We have so much for which to be thankful, yet even the children of God are admonished (as Paul did to the Christians in Colosse) to be thankful.  I wonder whether it is because — like it or not — it seems to be our nature to focus on the few things we lack, instead of the many things we have.

As a nation, a day in November is set-aside for giving thanks. As the children of the living God, we are invited to make every day “Thanksgiving Day.” Is there a dearth of evidence of God’s goodness?  – Luther

Reminder: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow; back — Lord willing — on Monday!

Tagged , ,
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

In the tug and pull of daily living, we are apt to forget how God feels about His children; but Paul offers to us this reminder: We are “holy and dearly loved.”

To be holy is to be like our heavenly Father, because He is holy — which is to say, “separate,” or “uncommon.” Separate, because we follow only our God. Uncommon, because the world doesn’t see many who live as we live: “[Clothed] with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

To accept that we are “dearly loved” is the fire of inspiration; it is the freedom to go beyond ourselves; it is the frame that informs and circumscribes all of our choices.

It is a rare and wonderful state to be holy and dearly loved by God; and that is us. Today. Live it!  – Luther

Tagged , ,