clothed in righteousness

DEAR GOD: I Love Walking With You~

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Walking with God | Small Groups | Wild at Heart | Free Church Resources ...

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1-2 (NKJV)

A Reflection on Righteousness and Sovereignty

The Psalms have long been a source of inspiration, guidance, and comfort for believers. The opening chapters, Psalm 1 and 2, set a profound foundation for the entire book, encapsulating the themes of righteousness, divine sovereignty, and the path of the blessed.

Walking with God should be automatic in every Christian. It is inherently who “we are” as a people who follow Christ. We are to assume the path and ascribe to His ways in all we do, each day of our lives, all the day long, until we enter into our eternal life in Heaven.

Listening to the Spirit within each of us is a way to assure our passage and earn our eternal rewards, by adhering to the Word and applying it into our life, each moment we are alive.

Psalm 1: The Way of the Righteous

Psalm 1 contrasts the lives of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous, likened to a tree planted by streams of water, finds nourishment in the law of the Lord. They are steadfast, fruitful, and prosper in all they do. In contrast, the wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind, unstable and destined to perish.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. What does it mean to be like a tree planted by streams of water in today’s world?
  2. How can we meditate on the law of the Lord day and night amidst modern distractions?

Morals:

  • Stability and Prosperity: The moral here is clear: grounding oneself in spiritual wisdom leads to stability and prosperity.
  • The Fate of the Wicked: The fate of the wicked serves as a warning that a life devoid of spiritual depth is ultimately unfulfilling and transient.

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed

Psalm 2 presents a messianic prophecy and a vision of God’s ultimate rule. It speaks of the nations rebelling against the Lord and His anointed one. Yet, the divine response is one of laughter and sovereignty, as God has established His king on Zion.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. How do we reconcile the image of a laughing God with the struggles we face in the world?
  2. What does it mean to ‘kiss the Son’ in the context of faith and obedience?

Morals:

  • Divine Sovereignty: The moral lesson is the assurance of God’s sovereignty over all earthly powers.
  • Trust in Divine Plan: It encourages believers to trust in the divine plan, despite apparent chaos.

“Dear Father -O Lord, like the tree by the water, let us be deeply rooted in Your Word. May we flourish in Your righteousness and be steadfast in the face of life’s trials. Help us to discern the path of the blessed and to walk in it with integrity. In the face of worldly tumult, remind us of Your sovereignty and Your anointed one, Jesus Christ, in whom we find refuge and hope. Amen.”

These verses invite readers to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of the Psalms, seeking personal application and divine wisdom. The questions encourage introspection, while the morals draw out timeless truths relevant to our lives. May we reflect and fulfill our purpose according to His plans for us…

DEAR GOD: You Are Worthy~

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Christ is Worthy – Pleading in Prayer

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith –
Luke 12:7 (NLT)

The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ

Philippians 3:8-9 is a profound declaration by the Apostle Paul about the value of knowing Christ. These verses encapsulate the essence of Paul’s faith and the transformation it wrought in his life.

Renouncing All for Christ

Paul speaks of renouncing all things for the sake of Christ. He considers them “loss” compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus as his Lord. For Paul, this knowledge is not merely intellectual; it is a relational, experiential knowledge that has the power to transform one’s entire being.

The Righteousness from God

In verse 9, Paul contrasts his former life of legalistic righteousness with the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. This righteousness is not self-derived; it is given by God on the basis of faith. It is a righteousness that aligns us with God’s own character and purposes.

The Intimate Knowledge of Christ

Paul’s desire to “gain Christ” and be found in Him is an intimate expression of union with the Savior. It is a picture of complete identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, leading to a life that is fully immersed in the presence and power of Jesus.

 Philippians 3:8-9 invites us to consider the value of our own pursuits in light of the incomparable worth of knowing Christ. It challenges us to find our identity, not in our achievements or religious credentials, but in the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Jesus.

In this world, when we walk around in recognition of Christ and all He is – we are able to fulfill His will and purpose in our life more readily, when we are reinforced by His Word and love.

Being able to walk in confidence and know that He is with us always, we are able to do all things through Him who strengthens us. We are able to attain things easily and are able to proceed in all we endeavor during our day.

Christ is the One who is worthy and the One we should put first at all times, today, tomorrow and always. When we do that – we live a LIFE worth LIVING – because He is LIFE itself! Amen!

Let us pray:

“Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of knowing Christ, which surpasses all earthly gains. Help me to count all things as loss in comparison to the treasure of Your presence. May I be found in Christ, clothed in Your righteousness, and living by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”