Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Luke 12:15

Jesus considers a desire for more and more possessions as a negative in our walk with God.  It is true, as I think about it, that much of our modern greed is the desire to have possessions – to add to them and to keep them!

We humans have access to some things, and that is fine, but the desire to add to our possessions, to ever increase them, is really a selfish thing.  Our eye should be on what God wants.

I am amazed at the power of this intense desire to make sure that we are in charge of our affairs and trying to get even more secure in the world’s terms.

Some people are gifted by God to improve their situation.  That is not the point of Jesus’ teaching here.  It is where our hopes, our hearts are!

Lord Jesus, at this age possessions are getting less and less meaningful.  But to be possessed by you is our delight and joy.

Yesterday was a bit of a challenge.  I had to undergo surgery to replace the skin on my scalp, or at least working at it. Having cleaned me up from a failed op they want me to wear a comical cap with a propeller on top for two weeks!

My scalp feels a bit different after my surgery yesterday, a bit like a drum.  I had some difficulty getting to sleep but I hope that is somewhat relieved for tonight.  The dear medical people know what they are doing, so I just come along!  It is a bit uncomfortable but is for only 2 weeks!

Do pray for me.  The next procedure is putting a skin graft from my leg to the head wound.  This is new for me.

I welcome prayers on our behalf!

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.  

Isaiah 26:3

I found myself wondering about this virtue, being steadfast of mind. Does it mean, not wavering?  Not relying on the Lord to give us a place of rest and hope?  It is surely the way of peace. This is proven in both Old and New Testaments.

As I ponder its meaning, I see that the heart of admonition is to trust in God.  Come to think of it, that is the glory of walking with God in our conversion faith, trusting in Him!  Trust.  Our culture provides some flimsy excuse to allure us away from God, to trust in what human beings come up with.  The only true soul-satisfying trust is to trust in God Almighty, our Savior Lord.

This is how our new office will look.  We will probably make changes but this indicates that the work of moving is done and all is working just OK.  I am so pleased.

This is my first devotional in my upstairs office, installed yesterday under the exceptional leadership of Alan, a wonder person in my mind.  I enter this office this morning.  It is just across the hall from our bedroom.

Yesterday Alan contributed a lot.  Then Paul and Evan came and helped out, in their usual professional way.  I loved every moment!  Dwayne was also here helping as he could. Without this family help I would still be in the basement. So I praise God for each one of them. I can barely believe that they love us so.

My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.  For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 108:1, 3 – 5

A Psalm that thrills my soul. At this age I reflect on the Lord’s fantastic goodness. I am overwhelmed.  I was touched with I will sing and make music with all my soul.  Great is God’s love, higher than the heavens.  And His faithfulness is marvelous beyond telling!  It reaches to the skies. Talk of exaltation!  This is soul language!

The prayer is that all mankind know this exultant joy!

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Today’s Daily Light concentrates on the Old Testament promises and history of the way God never did flee from his chosen people, but was committed to them and their welfare with intensity. Lovely promises of God!

Then, the last verse of the day is from Romans, a precious New Testament book.  It acts, in a way, as a summary of what God has done and is doing and the promise that is open to all who would believe.

Those who stand with God are not only safe, but prosperous in their faith.

It all begins with the assertion that God is for us. Is there a greater promise?  I think not.

May the will and ways of God dominate my thinking today, the day when we move our main working office upstairs!

It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.  Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, my God.’”

Hebrews 10:5 – 7

Is it possible that God dismissed the ancient practices of sacrifices that human beings devised to please God?  This is what this precious passage says.  God can not simply wave a wand and our sins are forgiven.  No, the Gospel of God says God did not desire more and more sacrifices.  No.  That is the explosive meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A sacrificial lamb cannot say, “I have come to do your will, my God.”  Jesus, the Lamb of God said that because he came to earth to do exactly that.  That sacrifice was done, DONE!  God’s grace and my sin met on that sacred head!

I am speechless!  Oh, my blessed Lord, embrace me with your unfailing love and ongoing cleansing.