"By Righteous Deeds?"

"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference".  Romans 3:22

Question-- Is a man righteous because he does righteous deeds or does he do righteous deeds because he is righteous?  

The correct answer is not:  a man is righteous because he does righteous deeds.  Doing righteous acts and good deeds has never, and will never, make anyone righteous.  Just ask the rich young ruler who came to Jesus—he discovered the answer.  All the good things he did didn't save him; they did not make him righteous.  You can also ask the Pharisees; they discovered also that no matter how much of the law they kept it was not enough to become righteous.

The correct answer is:  he does righteous deeds because he is righteous.  It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.  (Titus 3:5,6) We are made righteous through the shed blood of Jesus at the cross.  Our faith in His atoning work is what saves us and makes us righteous.  Our own righteousness is like filthy rags.  We have none.  We have to come to Christ in faith and repentance and are then made righteous by Him and His work.  We do righteous works and deeds because of the righteousness of Christ that has been applied to our lives.  Our righteous works come out of a heart that has been regenerated and made righteous—not vice versa.

Have a great day.  We are righteous, not because we do righteous deeds, but because of faith in Jesus.   

For further reading:
Galatians 3:11
1 John 2:29; 3:7
Isaiah 64:6

"Look Up"

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh".  Luke 21:28

Jesus had just told His disciples what signs and events would take place before He returned.  Among those were wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, fearful sights, betrayal, imprisonment, distress of nations, they would be hated by all men for His sake and men's hearts failing for fear.  But He ended by saying to them-- "look up". 

Daily we face perplexing situations.  We go through trying times that bring fear and confusion.  We see things happening around us that we don't understand and that cause us to question and wonder.  But in these times Jesus still speaks the same words to us-- "look up".  In other words-- stay focused on Him.  Keep your eyes looking toward Him.  Don't get caught up in what is happening around you.  Don't stare at it too long in disbelief and amazement.  Don't look at what is fearful and confusing but for a moment-- "look up".

We must keep our eyes fixed/focused on Jesus.  These things are temporary; He is eternal.  These things will make us fearful; He will give us peace.  These things will defeat us; He gives us victory.  These things will pull us down; He will lift us up.  These things will steal, kill and destroy us; He will give us abundant life. 

Whatever you are facing today-- fear, questions, confusion, heartache, hardship, perplexity, don't keep staring at it.  Instead, look up.  That is where you will find your peace, strength and grace to keep walking and living even in a terrible/turbulent time.

Have a great day.  Fearful, confusing and hard things happen to us in life, but don't focus on them-- Look Up!

"Unchanging In Change"

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever".  Hebrews 13:8

 Every time I have to do an update on one of my electronic devises-- phone, computer, etc., the whole format changes. So, it takes me a few minutes to navigate and find my way through it.  Do you ever wonder why it is that someone is always changing something?  Why can't they leave some things like they are?  There's nothing wrong, in my opinion, with the old formats they are constantly changing.  

The world around us is in a constant state of change.  Some change happens automatically-- like the changing of the seasons.  Some changes happen which are controlled by someone thinking that it should be done a certain way.  Some changes we have no control over.  Some changes are good.  Some are not so good.  Some are easy to adjust to; others are more difficult and take more time to get used to.  

Change is not always easy.  Often, change makes life more difficult for us-- especially until we get used to it.  But in this ever-changing world, I am thankful that one thing remains the same--- God is God.  He does not change.  He remains the same.  He is the same today as He was in the past and will be the same tomorrow is He was today. 

The fact that the Lord does not change should bring us great comfort.  I don't have to wonder or worry about Him.  I don't have to hope that He is still the same when I go to Him with my need.  He will be faithful to supply it just like He always has.  Take heart this morning.  Your world may be changing.  It may be a good change, or it may be a not so good change.  But, regardless, God does not change and He will help you through the change.

Have a great day.  Things are always changing around us, but we can trust that the Lord will stay the same. 

"Your Reputation"

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold".  Proverbs 22:1

One of my mother-in-law's favorite scriptures (have heard her say it numerous times) is that "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches".  I was pondering that this morning.  When I die, I wonder what type of reputation I will  leave behind.  What will people remember about me?  Will it be a good memory or a bad one?  Will it honor God or bring reproach upon HIs name?  Will I be remembered for being loving and kind, or the opposite? 

The life that you live now is making a reputation for yourself-- not only when you die and leave this earth and are remembered later.  But also while you are here.  When your name is mentioned to someone will their thoughts of you be good ones or bad ones?  What will be the first thing that comes to their mind? 

You are making a reputation for yourself through every deed you do, word you say, reaction, response and attitude you have.  The verse says that you and I should choose to have a good name-- a good reputation-- even more than we desire to have riches.  Why?  Because your reputation will outlast your riches.  When the riches are gone, when you are gone, when your properties are divided among your remaining heirs and are gone, all that will be left is your reputation. 

Have a great day.  What kind of reputation are you making for yourself?  What will people remember about you when you are gone?  What do they think about you now? 

"A Time To Die"

" A time to be born, and a time to die..."  Ecclesiastes 3:2

In his list of the things that make up life the writer starts with the very basic truth and events of every life-- there is a time to be born and a time to die.  We each have an appointed time within history in which God determines our birth.  Once we are born, death becomes inevitable.  We are born to die.  From the moment we take our first breath, death begins to lay claim to us.  Death will come to all of us.  It is a given.  None of us escape it.  There is a time when we will die.

Are you ready when the time to die comes to you?  Have you made peace with the Lord?  Have you made sure it is well with your soul?  Do you know that when you draw your last breath that you will be present with the Lord?  Or are you unsure?  Do you think you can wait and put it off because you have plenty of time?  You cannot put it off.  You can't wait.  You must be sure and make sure that your soul is safe and secure.  You have to do it today.  Because tomorrow may be too late.

Have a great day.  There is a time to die.  Are you ready when your time comes?  Will it be well with your soul?