I recently started attending an interdenominational women’s Bible study where we are studying the book of 1 Peter.  I really love this study because the teacher has the students take time in the Word of God and dig deep.

One of this week’s questions seemed more like an exercise in looking at the details of the scripture…but it’s the one that really struck me the most.

She had us read through the book of 1 Peter and count the number of times Peter uses Jesus Christ (9 times), Christ (13 times) and Jesus (0 times) to refer to the Lord.

What struck me is that Peter, one of Jesus disciples who lived with Him day in and day out for three years, never refers to the Lord Jesus Christ in a casual way.  Though he was part of the inner circle, the three disciples closest to Jesus, Peter doesn’t consider Jesus his pal or good buddy.

Instead, Peter refers to Him as Jesus Christ or Christ.  Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Promised One prophesied in the Old Testament.  His confidence was in the living hope found in Christ Jesus, the Son of God, the risen Messiah who is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Something else that struck me is the contrast with how casual we are about Jesus today.  We like to think of the warm and fuzzy Jesus who is our Friend.  But how often do we look at Him as God to Whom we will give an account.  The One to Whom we should fall on our face in fear and reverence.  He is the One unbelievers will face at the Great White Throne Judgment.  He is the One believers will face at the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema Seat where our works after coming to Christ will be examined.  He is the One to Whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

One place I see a casual treatment of Jesus Christ is on social media where posts are shared that seem to give a litany of what we want from God; good health, fortune, happiness, long life, and healing.  Often these posts end with instructions to type “In Jesus Name”.  To me, it seems like it’s a way to manipulate God so that He will give us what we want because we tack on Jesus name.

How much of my life is lived in submission and obedience to God, out of love for Him?  Love for Him because He is worthy and for the incomparable gift of His Son who paid the penalty for my sin so that I could be forgiven.  Do I accept God’s will for me, even when it includes trials, tribulation, sickness or misfortune?

Lord Jesus, help me not to think of You in a casual way, but to always remember that You are the Lord God Almighty.  May I have a healthy fear and reverence of You.  May I be mindful that my salvation and inheritance is secure in heaven.  That the One who saved me will keep me and bring me safely home to heaven.  Help me to live each day in light of eternity.

Below is a link to a good article by Pastor John MacArthur on the Judgment Seat of Christ.

What is the purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ?

What is the chief end of man?
To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

What happens when we forget God’s ordained purpose for man or start believing the wisdom of this world?

That’s when we start making a god in our own image or worship false gods.

In what ways are you letting the wisdom of this age seep into your mind?

Does the world’s wisdom line up with God’s Word?

If not, what should you do about it?

Take some time and go to the The Westminster Shorter Catechism and start reinforcing Biblical truth into your mind.

This summer I’m trying to slow down in my daily Bible reading.  Rather than reading through a chapter or two without taking the time to reflect on the passage, I’m reading a smaller number of verses and reflecting on what I see.  What I see about God the Father, Christ Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.  What I see about truth, right and wrong, sin, repentance, obedience, forgiveness, love and so much more.

In today’s passage from Mark 4:35-41 here are some things I saw and reflected on.

Jesus humanity…being fully human He gets tired and falls asleep.  Jesus divinity when He rebukes the wind and the waves and they obey Him.  Jesus is fully God and fully Man.  I see His authority over nature.  That got me to thinking, the winds and waves obey Christ, but what about me?  Do I obey Him?  In all honesty no I don’t always obey Him, at least not like I should.  In those times when I don’t obey Him I see His mercy and patience, not dealing with me as I deserve.  In the midst of the storms of life when I am being tossed about do I trust God?  Do I run to Him?  Am I fearful?  Do I accuse Him of not caring?  Do I try to get through it on my own strength?  When He rebukes me do I listen?  Do I have a fear and reverence of God?  While I would like to say I do, but I confess I don’t always.  Certainly not in the measure that God deserves.  That’s not good, nor is it pleasing or honoring to God.  It’s not an encouragement to fellow believers, nor a good example to unbelievers.  Do I know with absolute confidence that God can do the impossible?  When I have a storm of emotions going on within me Jesus can calm the storm.  He can say, “Peace, be still.”  Will I listen?  Will I get my eyes on the Lord and not the storm?  Will I trust where He leads, even when it means going into a storm?  Jesus is caring and compassionate.  He cares even when I feel like He doesn’t.  He is able, well able to handle the things that concern me today, tomorrow and always.  Will I choose to trust Him and bring to Him the storms and troubles that concern me?  Will I choose to praise Christ Jesus and thank Him at all times, not only when things are going well?  If Jesus’ disciples feared Him, the ones that saw Him up close and personal and lived with Him for three years, shouldn’t I fear Him too?

What are some of the truths you see in this passage from Mark 4:35-41?

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

If I remembered that I will give an account to the Lord for the words I speak…how would that change what I say?  I need to remember that all is open and laid bare before the Lord, there are no secrets with God.  May that truth change me even down to the thoughts and intentions of my heart.  What I think effects what I feel.  What I feel will be reflected in what I say.  What I feel doesn’t change what is true.

What am I sowing into the lives of people?

Am I sowing words of life, truth, and love?

Am I merciful, kind and compassionate?

Does my love put God first and others before me?

Is love evident in my actions and words?

Does what I think I’m doing line up with what others perceive?

What fruit is my life bearing?

Do my outward actions reflect a heart that is right before God?

Am I more concerned about what people think of me or what God thinks?

Am I trying to bear fruit through my own efforts?

Am I honoring and glorifying God with how I live my life?

If not, why not?

If not now, when?

What is it about cards that makes the so hard to get rid of or throw away.  I even hate saying those words…throw away.

How can I throw something away when someone I love and respect took the time to write out heart felt sentiments or words of encouragement.

I’ll put them in a box where they will remain until one day…probably many years from now.  I’ll go through them again and reread someone’s precious words.  Words made even more precious when it’s from someone who has passed away or is no longer in my life.

I touch the words and trace them with my fingers as if I’m touching the hand of a precious friend I will never see again…at least this side of eternity.  If the person wasn’t a believer, I won’t ever see them again.

For me that’s why it’s so hard to get rid of cards.

But how can I not get rid of them.  They only mean something to me.  I’ve probably not read most of them since they were given to me.  I put them in a box that I haven’t touch in a long time.  The dust bears witness to that.

We don’t have kids who we can designate to go through all our stuff when we die.  Even if we did have children, why would I want to make them go through all my stuff?

As we prepared to move to Texas I really struggled with the card issue.  I spent hours going through boxes and boxes of cards.  I went through a bunch and kept some and got rid of the rest.  But now I’m starting the struggle all over again.

But this time, I’ve come up with a solution of sorts.  I’m scanning them in and posting them to a private board in Pinterest.  That way I can look back at the cards and reread the precious words.

I’ll still keep some cards…but I can learn to let go too.

If you ever watch the Decorah Eagle Cam you may find it interesting how to tell the difference between the mom and dad.

I found a great tutorial on You Tube on how to identify them.  

I’d like you to meet Ray who is in the picture above.

I brought the dinner bell bird feeder in to the kitchen to clean it and fill it with some fresh bird food.  You can imagine my surprise, and Ray’s, when I was removing the bottom tray and realized that someone was still on it.  Yikes!!!

I quickly prayed that the Lord would let me get the feeder back outside before Ray flew away.  Thankfully Ray stayed put and I got the feeder back outside.

In taking a closer look it appears the sweet little bird is blind in one eye.  He finally got off the feeder so I could clean it.

Thankfully our kitties were taking a nap and were unaware of what had transpired.

In our lives today, I don’t think we get the full picture of sin.

As I read through Leviticus recently I had a small inkling into how wrong, ugly and utterly abhorrent sin is to God.  God who is holy, perfect, just and righteous.

If, like the Jews, I had to place my hands on the animal that was my sin offering, confess my sins and slit its throat to shed its blood (which would cover my sin) I might have a better idea on how horrifying sin is to God.

If I want to see what sin looks like to God, I need to look at what Jesus Christ endured on the cross.  The sinless Lamb of God sent to take away the sin of the world.  Look at the punishment He endured so that my sins would be removed, not just covered.  Thank You Jesus for paying my sin debt that I could never repay, not even with an eternity spent in hell.  May I have a better appreciation and understanding of sin and it’s high price.  May sin loose its hold on me as I focus on Christ.  Thank You Jesus for crediting Your righteousness to my account.