Tag Archive | respect

Disciple

Jan8

Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.
Genesis 22:7‭-‬8 NASB

Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
Genesis 22:9‭-‬10 NASB

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Genesis 22:11‭-‬12 NASB

Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.
Genesis 22:13 NASB

Just as God the Father provided Jesus as the sacrifice for us, He provided a substitute for Issac. Out of Jesus’s great love for the Father and mankind He willingly sacrificed His life for you, for us.

Abraham’s obedience was to God no matter the cost. God desires our obedience to Him but we also need to remember that He is a loving, righteous God. The situation was never the cost of Isaac’s life or for Abraham to murder his son but to show Abraham the cost of following God.

🌹 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (by comparison of his love for Me) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:26 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

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Greet

Apr2

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also  greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from  Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and  Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the  household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. — Romans 16:1-16

18 times the word “greet” is used in this passage. I just had to look the word up. . .

According to dictionary.reference.com it is 1. to address with some form of salutation; welcome. 2. to meet or receive. It’s a verb meaning it requires action.

The Greek word for “greet” is aspazomai. It means “to draw to oneself”. To salute, greet, bid welcome, wish well to; receive joyfully, welcome. “Used of those accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way; a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting” (Greek Lexicon)

How do you greet the Lord’s saints? Do you acknowledge your brothers and sisters in Christ with joy, respect, acknowledging your love for them in Christ? Are they encouraged and lifted up by your greeting? Remember that “greet” is an action word. Greet the saints with the same respect you would Jesus.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Work – Ugh?

Jun2

With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, — Ephesians 6:7

If you work for a living you “render service”. What does your service look like? Is it an example to others that you serve God? Is your day filled with grumbling and complaining about how the “company” or “boss” is unfair and doing you wrong? Do you look at your day as “I can’t wait to get through it so I can do what I want after work”? Are you always in a hurry for the weekend? In a state of hurry do you mistreat people or grumble under your breath that they are slowing you and your productivity down?

OR

Do you look at your work as a gift from God to meet the needs of your family and yourself? Do you face each day looking to see how you can fulfill God’s plan of salvation through your actions and attitude? Do you respect your authority as much as you respect God?

Is God not in control? Are the people in your life who slow your productivity not put there for a purpose? The purpose may be to teach you patience or perseverance or trust that God is in control. Or is that person there so you can be a witness of God’s awesome mercy and grace?

It really is all about God. May God bless your work day.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Walk in His Ways

Feb11

“Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,                                                                                    — Deuteronomy 10:12   

It really is all about God. He has set His standard, “to fear the Lord your God”, reverently fear. A respectful awe of our Lord.

He commands us to walk in His ways. His commandments are to be followed because He is, was and always will be the One and only God, Creator, Lord, Master, our All in all. He deserves our utmost obedience.

The first and foremost commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. If we love Him we will keep His commandments, serve Him and fear Him — that is walking with the Lord. 

Walking with the Lord is so much more than obeying commandments and serving. God gives us these commandments and instructions in His Word for our benefit. Walking with the Lord Jesus is a walk of peace and joy. Within the confines of obedience to His Word we find a trustworthy, faithful friend who will never fail us. Living in the boundaries He has set for us we find contentment. We might be commanded but it is for our benefit and blessing. Surrender to a wonderful walk with Jesus and let His commandments guide you to a deeper, more solid faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. Deuteronomy 8:6

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. — Deuteronomy 6:5