“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, NLT)
When we’ve lost our way, it helps to return to the beginning; the starting point; the original idea.
In explaining the origin of all that we are and all that we see, the writer of Genesis puts God at the starting point.
We may regret days of our past — and the decisions made there — but today is a new day!
As you begin it, remember: With God, all things are possible. – Luther
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38, NLT)
Jesus illustrates for us the principal that the relationships that we value in this life are the relationships that we shall inherit in eternity. In other words: If we are ashamed of Him and all that He stands for here in “time”; we shall forfeit Him for all of “eternity” because He will be ashamed of us then as we are ashamed of Him now.
The Christian disciple’s challenge in these “adulterous and sinful days” is to be faithful to Jesus and to His message in all that we say, and in all that we do.
This means that we love our enemies — all of them. This means that we seek reconciliation — always. This means that we pray for those who abuse us. This means that we live each day as if Jesus were returning before the end of it. – Luther
“When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.” (2 Corinthians 10:18, NLT)
The current fixation on self-promotion isn’t new. Folks were marketing themselves long before Paul wrote today’s admonition against the self-promotion to the Christian disciples in Corinth — which was the New York City of its day: Populous, cosmopolitan, a crossroads of humanity.
I know, I know. . . We reason that if we’re not for ourselves, then who is? It is a valid question. The answer for the disciple of Jesus is that it is God who is our champion. God opens doors that no one can close; and God closes doors that no one can open.
Be faithful to Him in all things, and he will not only chart the course of your life; but He will ensure that you arrive at all of the correct checkpoints at the right time. – Luther
